UnGovr Transcript
iHow this transcript is madeUnGovr transcribes the official recording with automated speech-to-text, separates speakers by voice, and matches voices to the seated roster. Names and attributions are AI estimates and may contain errors.Verify any quote yourself: click anywhere in the transcript and the official video jumps to that exact moment, so you can check any quote against the recording.Scheduled start 6:00 PM · clock-time estimates pending review
0:00 – 0:047 turns
Vice Chair Antner?
Here.
Commissioner Munich? Here. Commissioner Lear? Here. Commissioner Bailey? Here. And Chair Taylor is absent.
Agenda Discussionitems moved / continued / pulled — click to expand
public comment. So Ben DeWitt would you come on up please?
Hello, my name is Ben DeWitt. I'm with the Mountains to Beach Marathon that takes place from Ojai to Ventura every spring. I am actually here for two separate yet kind of connected issues or reasons. One, with the marathon it's doing amazing things for the community and I'm here to express more publicly my urge to do more. So I very much look forward to reaching out to more people, more powers that be if you will in the city of Ojai to help me come up with those ways that I can have the biggest most longest lasting positive impacts that I possibly can so I look forward to getting to know all of you a little bit better. Christy thank you for the invite for this.
The other reason is actually an idea that I have. Recently, I took my four-year-old daughter to Libbey Park on a beautiful like 75 degree day it was about 11am and the playground was so hot None of the kids could play on any of it. All the kids were in the fringes playing in the shade and I was just like, oh my God! So I took my daughter out there. We tried to go onto Little Grass Hill. I burned my side. She started crying and I was like, okay what can we do to provide more shade perhaps? And then it started getting my wheels turning and with my marathon, I mean, I have the fundraising machine.
What can I do to maybe help Provide more shade structures. I have no idea what sort of issues this arise rises or Sort of environmental impacts however, I just wanted to throw it out there that I'm very interested in helping the city of Ojai create a better playground for the kids Something that's near and dear to my heart is promoting active healthy lifestyles in our communities youth Having an awesome park such as Libby is just a shining beacon there, so I want to help.
Thank you very much. That's it.
Thank you. Thank you.
OK. Consent calendar. And the only item on our consent calendar is our minutes from our previous meeting on May 7th Any comments on that from anybody? I'd like to make a motion to approve.
0:04 – 0:3716 turns
I second that. Yeah, yeah. Second.
OK, motion and second to approve the minutes all in favor.
Aye.
Thank you. And now on to our presentation, which is our boards committees and commission training.
Hello everyone my name is Lisa Terosian I am senior counsel at Elkshire Langer and I am happy to be
with you all here this evening to present on... We're gonna turn up the volume real quick thanks
While we're sitting here, in front of us is the handbook that's being covered. The Board's Committees and Commission Handbook. So all the information covering our roles, responsibilities and how we operate meetings. She's going to go over all that for us tonight. Great! And they do the training every few years, every year?
We're deciding it might be annually we could do it less or more frequently dependent on need But certainly Christy and I can also answer any questions about it, too
Is the PowerPoint loaded or will I have to share my screen?
We thought you were gonna share your screen
okay, I can share my screen no problem
So to clarify, this is the training then? Yes. Got
it. This is the presentation of the training. Thank you. OK.
Let me know if you can see my screen Do you see the presentation, everyone? Yes.
Yes, we can see it.
OK, perfect. As you know, a city's boards, committees and commissions are a vital support system for any committee and for any city, and the better they function, the better a city can serve its residents. That is why it is important for members of these groups to be well informed of their roles, responsibilities and applicable laws And I'm so sorry, please reserve questions till the end. And if you guys have any questions, I'll be more than happy to discuss.
Boards commissions and committees are established by the OMC. The current ones are the Planning Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission, the Arts Commission, and the Buildings and Appeals Board. There is also the Finance and Budget Committee This committee is advisory to City Council and does not possess independent decision making.
Members are appointed by a committee composed of the mayor, a rotating city council member and the chair or vice-chair. The nominating committee must reach a unanimous decision for each nominee to be confirmed by the city council. If a majority of the full city council declines to accept nominees proposed by unanimous vote of the nominating committee, the nominating committee begins the process again and interviews candidates from existing applicant pools to select a new nominee until the City Council confirms the nominating committee's choice.
Vacancies created midterm are filled in the same manner. Qualifications for members are described in their respective agency's ordinances. To join a board, commission or committee you must take an oath and sometimes be required to submit a statement of economic interests. You will also be expected to participate in ethics training within a year of appointment and every two years.
You may know this as the AB 1234 and AB 1825 trainings. However recent legislation has changed the timelines for ethics training which we will discuss later. You will also be expected to complete sexual harassment prevention training within six months of appointment and every two years as well. Members serve four year terms, and there are no exceptions except the Youth Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation Commission who is limited to one two-year term.
All committee members must also serve until their successor is appointed and qualified. Members serve at will and may be removed for any reason. Some examples of reasons are excessive absences, verbal or physically abusive behaviour, violations of ethics policies, violations of city policies and conflicts of interest. Committee appointments are non-political appointments.
There is also a process and procedure for removal of members The first is that two City Council members must advise the city manager of their intent to place an item on an upcoming agenda, to consider the removal of the committee member. The second step is the city manager then contacts the committee member to advise them of the request and to provide them with at least seven days of advanced notice of the agendized City Council discussion regarding their removal.
The committee member can then choose to resign or object to the proposed action. If they choose to resign, 60 days notice is suggested to enable the identification and replacement of the member without causing a gap in the committee's membership. If they choose to object, they'll be given an opportunity to speak to the full city council at the agendized public meeting before consideration of their removal.
After completing this process, any committee member may be removed by majority city council vote or regular city coun- at a regular city council meeting. Each board, commission or committee must elect a chair, a vice-chair and secretary to serve a one year term. Committee members may nominate themselves or any other member to these positions. No second is required.
Once nominations are complete, a vote on the nominee in the order of nominations is taken. The nominee receiving the votes from the majority of members in attendance will be appointed If no member receives a majority, the process is repeated except in the event of a tie between the top two vote-getters. In which case, a runoff will be held. Some boards, commissions and committees function in a purely advisory role while others have decision making responsibilities functioning in a quasi judicial, quasi legislative role.
All committees serve in an advisory role to City Council. An advisory role, for example, includes recommending changes to the OMC if the change is within the committee's jurisdiction. Both informal and formal means of communication may be used to fulfill this advisory role. Formally, committee recommendations related to city actions may be presented at City Council meetings as individual agenda items or as action minutes.
Other boards, commissions and committees may also have decision-making responsibilities and function in a hearing mode from time to time which is considered a quasi judicial role. These responsibilities include the granting of permits and the hearing of appeals. Some examples are the Historical Preservation Committee, the Planning Commission and the Building Appeals Board.
Recommendations to City Council are made through formal action meaning by a motion and vote and sometimes the approval of resolution. Committees may also perform additional duties assigned to it by City Council. Ad hoc committees may be formed by committee vote to accomplish a specific goal within a given time frame. Ad hoc membership nominees in the, ad hoc not, I'm sorry.
Ad hoc committee membership must be less than the quorum of the committee. Ad-hoc committees are also expected to give regular reports on the progress towards their specific goal. Members are expected to review the agenda materials, attend meetings, participate in discussion and vote on agenda items. If a member is unable to attend a meeting they should notify the committee chair as soon as practical.
Members of a committee shall attend in person unless arrangements are made in advance for attendance or by teleconference. The chairperson presides over meetings as well as has other responsibilities that are listed on this slide. As the chair appears before on behalf of the committee when appearing before City Council, the chair may only speak on behalf of the committee on a topic where an action was approved of by a vote of the committee.
Each committee also has a city council liaison who facilitates the committee's work and communicates information back to city council. The council liaison does not participate in committee decisions. There are two types of meetings, regular and special. Regular meetings may be rescheduled with the posting of a cancellation notice and notification of a special meeting.
Special meetings may be canceled by either the chair or staff liaison. The reasons for cancellation should be sent to the council liaison mayor and city manager. Lack of a quorum of the majority of appointed members at a meeting requires meeting cancellation. Special meetings may be held at any time upon the call of the chair, a majority of committee members or city council followed by the appropriate notice.
Special meetings may be called to meet deadlines, conduct study sessions or workshops, or when a quorum was not met at a regular meeting. Serial meetings and discussion of official business outside of noticed public meeting is not allowed. Serial meetings are a violation of the Brown Act. A copy of the most recent version should have been sent to you all already by the City Clerk.
Committee members are subject to FPPC investigations in the event complaints are filed regarding Brown Act violations. The combined effect of a serial meeting may inappropriately be a quorum of committee members. For example, if a member of a seven-member committee speaks to more than two other members it may constitute a serial meeting. Inadvertent use of email, like the careless use of the reply all function can also result in serial meetings.
Engaging a discussion of city business on social media can also lead to a serial meeting. A quorum is a majority of the members there can be no meeting of the committee unless a quorum is present. If less than a quorum attends, any discussion by that group is characterized as a committee of the whole. But no record is made of this occurrence and no decisions can be made.
All board commissions and committee meetings are subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act, colloquially known as the Brown Act which is found in the California Government Code Under the Act, all meetings must be open and public. However, the Brown Act does not limit an official acting in his or her own capacity. Meaning you have the right to confer with your constituents, advocates, consultants, news reporters, or talk to your staff or colleague but you must make sure you are not discussing official committee business in order to avoid having a serial meeting.
The use of direct communication intermediaries or technology to develop a collective concurrence outside of a meeting is also considered a serial meeting and therefore prohibited. The seriousness of serial meetings cannot be stressed enough, and the internet makes it much easier for members of legislative bodies to communicate with each other and their constituents in ways that make it easier to have a serial meeting.
To avoid this, a good social media rule is to not react, share or comment on a post or comment by any member of the body. And this slide also tells you what to do to avoid having serial meetings but I'm sorry, the last slide discussed how not to have a serial meeting and this one It's about what is not considered a meeting. So the Brown Act and serial meetings should not discourage you from having individual communications or contacts with other members about non-committee matters. So there is no prohibition, let's say on attending public conferences or other local agency meetings, community meetings and social gatherings Informational meetings with staff are also not considered a Brown Act, and so we should not be discouraged from having communications with constituents or other members about non-committee matters.
And this slide is just some additional information about social media communication that I discussed briefly in the previous slide and you can review for additional guidance. And you should have received a copy of this presentation. The City should have it, and you can ask for a copy of it as well at the end. Agendas. The agenda constitutes the roadmap for the meeting. The format and sequence of the committee's agenda is discussed in detail in the Commissioner Handbook I would refer you there if you need additional details regarding the formatting of specific parts of agendas. Generally, the committee's meetings are governed by Rosenberg's Rules of Order.
Rosenberg rules of order contain specific rules of conduct. Every member desiring to speak shall address the chair and upon recognition by the chair confine their contributions to the matter at hand, avoiding all indecorous language, personal attacks as well as any tangential discussions of non-agendized items. A member may not interrupt a speaker except for the following reasons.
So they may interrupt for privilege. The power of the proper interruption would be points of privilege. The chair would then ask the interrupter state your points Appropriate points of privilege relate to anything that would interfere with the normal comfort or amplification of the meeting. For example, the room may be too hot or too cold. The second would be a call-to-order.
The proper interruption would be points of order. Again, the chair would ask the interrupter to state your point. Appropriate points of order relate to anything that would not be considered appropriate conduct at the meeting. If the chair moved to vote on a motion without permitting the debate, which is allowed. The third is appeal. If a chair makes a ruling that a member of the body disagrees with, the member may appeal the ruling of the chair. The proper interruption is I appeal the ruling of the chair.
If the motion is seconded and after debate if it passes by a simple majority vote then the ruling of the chair is deemed reversed. The fourth is to withdraw a motion During debate and discussion of a motion, the maker of the motion on the floor at any time may interrupt the speaker to withdraw his or her motion from the floor. The motion is immediately deemed withdrawn and any other member may make the motion once recognized.
Other rules of testimony to keep in mind are that all comments should be addressed to the committee as a whole and not to an individual member of the committee, members of the public or staff. It is also helpful but not required for speakers to state their name in order that the secretary might identify them in the minutes of the meeting. The chair may limit speakers to three minutes or less depending on the number of speakers and the length of the agenda.
The process of consideration and action on an item is handled with the following four steps. The first is presenting the item, the chair should announce the agenda item number and subject. The chair should then announce any special procedures to be followed like let's say for example if the item is a quasi public hearing this is also when any members would announce their conflicts of interest if any and recuse themselves from the vote and leave the room The chair should then invite the appropriate people, typically city staff to report on the item.
The chair may provide an opportunity for committee members to ask clarifying questions to the person providing their report. This is not preferred as questioning tends to segue into position statements before public input is taken which is inconsistent with the open meetings principles. The second is to ask for public input The chair then will open the meeting to the public and may limit speakers' time as discussed previously.
A response to public comment, if appropriate, should not be provided until the public comments are finished. The third is to consider the item. The chair then requests committee deliberation. Member deliberation would include questions of the person making the report or others with relevant knowledge. Consideration of alternatives to the recommendation Additional considerations not previously stated, and other relevant facts and opinions.
The fourth is to decide. The committee then decides by a motion in voting. The motion in voting appendices in the handbook are also more detailed information regarding this process if you would like more instruction regarding it. For all action items the chair then invites a motion from the members No motion is made if the agenda item is to receive a report, unless the committee wishes to address recommended actions contained within the report.
Once a vote is taken discussion on the item ends. For public hearings there are additional guidelines After receiving the staff report, the chair would then open the public hearing and accept testimony in the following order. The first, the applicant or proponent. The second, the opponent. The third, rebuttal or sub-rebuttal. And the fourth, public comment. The chair would then close a public hearing.
Committees may take action in different ways, either informal or formal. Informal actions meaning no vote is required generally take the form of a chair giving direction after input from other committee members. Informal actions would include requesting information from staff or suggesting that a committee member report on a future agenda topic. Formal actions are taken by establishing a quorum considering a motion and voting Most actions require a vote by the majority of the appointed members, unless a supermajority is required.
All formal actions must be listed in the agenda and require a motion and vote in the affirmative. Motions are the vehicles for taking formal actions. A motion should be introduced on a matter after general information is shared, options have been identified, and members share their opinions and seek to persuade. The Chair shall ensure that all motions are clearly stated and commonly understood before allowing future further deliberations and voting.
Items may be continued by committee vote to a subsequent time for the following types of reasons. The committee requires additional information during the meeting, new information or issues come to light during the meeting that need further study, or any other reasons that are deemed appropriate and substantial by the committee. In addition, a committee hearing may continue an item when the applicant cannot The application is revised by the applicant during the meeting or the committee requests that the application be revised.
Disrupting means engaging in behavior during a meeting that disrupts, disturbs or impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting. Prior to removing an individual, the chair shall warn the individual that the behavior is disturbing the meeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal. The chair may then remove that individual if the behavior continues.
If there has been a use of force or a true threat of force and there is no obligation for the chair to provide a warning before removing that individual from the meeting. The public has a right to review and inspect public records with certain exceptions, those exceptions are the pending litigation exception which exempts documents prepared in support of ongoing litigation.
The delivery process exemption which exempts preliminary drafts, notes or other information relating to the deliberative process. The personal privacy exemption which exempts personnel files medical records or other such records the disclosure of which would constitute an invasion of privacy. Other records that are exempt are real estate appraisals, records pertaining to investigations and preliminary drafts, notes or memos that are not kept in the ordinary course of business.
If you need examples of what constitutes a public record please refer to this slide. An agency must make copies of disclosable records promptly available upon request. An agency shall respond within 10 days with a determination if there are disclosable records and then can request an additional extension of 14 days for certain unusual circumstances like voluminous files or if they need more time to look for the files.
A writing can be considered retained by the agency even if that writing is retained in the employee's personal account, if the writing relates to the conducting of the agency's business Therefore, it would be subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act. So it's important to keep your business and your personal separate to avoid commingling. Privacy concerns are addressed on a case-by-case basis so that's why it's very important to not use your personal accounts when conducting official committee business because then you would have to make the argument to try and claw your personal files back Committee members are representatives of the City, meaning they have a duty to represent the City and to take only those actions they believe are for the benefit of the City.
Committee members are expected to comply with all applicable laws and have the ethical duties of loyalty, due diligence, and avoiding bias. Under the Levine Act no member with the power to make decisions or recommendations may accept, solicit, or direct a contribution of over $500 while a proceeding like a license, a permit or use entitlement is pending before them from a participant party or their agent.
This also applies for 12 months after final decision is rendered. This only applies to committee members who are running for elected office. If the member has received a contribution of over $500 within the preceding 12 months that fact must be disclosed on the record of the proceedings before rendering any decision If a member willfully or knowingly receives such a contribution within the preceding 12 months, the member may not participate in the decision-making of that proceeding or use their position to influence such decision.
This requirement applies both to members that participate in proceedings as well as those running for office. We already discussed members' ethics and sexual harassment prevention training obligations. However, under new legislation, namely SB-827, the ethics training requirements are amended and the deadline is amended to align with the Sexual Harassment Prevention Training so that all metadata trainings are now completed within six months of starting service.
Effective January 1st of this year, SB-827 also expands the ethics training mandate to all department heads or other similar administrative officers, regardless of a designation in the agency's Conflict of Interest Code. Certain members will also be required to complete fiscal and financial trainings every two years. SB 827 only exempts county auditors, county treasurers and county tax collectors from the fiscal and financial trainings.
SB 827 also expands the records disclosable under the Public Records Act to include those financial and fiscal training records. Those records must now be maintained for five years. Also starting July 1st of this year, an agency must post on its website instructions and contact information regarding how to request those records. For copyrighted works the City has a policy against using copyrighted works The purpose of this policy is to protect the city from the legal and operational challenges associated with the use of copyrighted materials during public meetings.
The best practice is to not use any of these materials at the meetings, and if you need any more information regarding copyrighted works, you can refer to this slide. Okay, this part of the presentation was regarding the roles and responsibilities that are specific to the Parks and Recreation Commissioners An integral part of the history and image of the City of Ojai are its public parks and recreational facilities. For example, Libbey Park which we heard about tonight hosts music festivals, the Ojai Tennis Tournament and other community events in addition to the Sarzalti Park being a sports hub and used daily.
The Parks and Recreation Commission reflects the desires of the community to care for and develop its parks and recreation facilities. The purpose of this commission is to serve as an advisory body to the City Council, and also to interface with citizens and city leaders to develop recreation programs and activities, and review policies and plans for parks in public areas.
Ojai Valley residents place a great priority on the quality of their recreational programs in public parks And this commission is a valuable liaison to assure that adequate financial and logistical support is obtained from the private and public sectors. The objective of diving more in depth regarding your specific role on the Commission is to familiarize you with the laws that govern your position, the procedures necessary to properly effectuate your position, and most importantly, the responsibilities that are specific to your role on this Commission.
The Parks and Recreation Commission is composed of seven members and one non-voting youth member, who is a full time high school student living within the boundaries of the Ojai Unified School District. A nominating committee comprised of the mayor or rotating city council member and the commission chair or vice chair if the chair's office is under consideration within two months of the nomination will nominate each commissioner for confirmation by the City Council.
The youth member is nominated by the mayor and confirmed by their approval of a majority of the full City Council. All commission appointments are non-political appointments as mentioned previously. While it is preferred that all members of the Commission have primary residence and be domiciled within the City, a maximum of three members of the Commission may have primary residence and be domiciled outside of the City.
All members must live within the Ojai Area of Interest as defined by the Ventura County Local Agency Formation Commission. The Commission elects from amongst its members a Chair and a Vice-Chair, and may appoint a Secretary who does not need to be a member of the Commission. The Commission can also create committees as it deems necessary to perform its duties, and may delegate to Committees, Investigations, Studies, and other Administrative Duties as it deems advisable.
All members of the Parks and Recreation Commission, other than the youth member are appointed for terms of four years. The youth members are appointed for a term of two years and can be appointed for a maximum of two terms. The terms of members of the commission shall expire at the second regular City Council meeting of May. The term of the youth member of the commission shall expire at the second regular City Council meeting in May of every other year.
The commission follows the rules of order and procedures set forth in the city's Board and Commissions Handbook and in the absence of any specific rules of conduct or procedure, Rosenberg's Rules of Procedure will apply. Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum without regard to residency. The Parks and Recreation Commission's powers and duties are set forth in OMC Chapter 2-4.104. I'm going to provide you with a broad overview of them, and if you need any further information regarding any of these points I will refer you to the explanation in this slide as well as to the Ojai Municipal Code.
The functions and powers of the Commission are limited to advising City Council regarding matters pertaining to recreation, to be knowledgeable about recreation in general and within the city, to receive input from the community, to review their general plan and make recommendations, to review the city's recreation policies and make recommendations To participate in the annual review of the proposed budget.
To participate in the annual review of the five-year capital improvement plan. To participate in the annual review of the city fees related to recreation. To make recommendations promoting recreation. To report to the public at least once a year regarding the activities of the commission. That's the end, guys. I hope it was quick and painless. If you have any questions now is the time. I will stop sharing my screen.
Thank you.
0:37 – 0:4014 turns
Does anybody have any questions?
No? No questions? OK.
Thank you. And if you need a copy, please reach out to Bethany or myself and we'll provide you with a copy of that presentation.
Thank you very much. Thank you, Lisa. I just have a comment on a few inconsistencies like the youth term that we just mentioned at the end was two years, two terms and that's what it used to be. I thought that was what it still was but when we were speaking earlier it was one year at a time.
Yeah, I wondered about that too. The other inconsistency there is another one I caught in there too so
There's a couple, but that one in
particular.
I don't know when they changed it to one year.
Right. We can follow up on that. OK. Because
it has been two years, two terms.
Yeah. Thank you.
You're here for eight years.
Yes. Can we? You're not going anywhere. One year is fine too. Whatever your choice is. But just so we have it out, that was the one I was... So anything else or are we...? Okay, thanks you guys. Thank you for being here. Thank you OK, so we are going to move on. To the community aquatics program review, which is item three, which is a recommendation to receive discuss recommend and propose additional community aquatics programming based on city council recommendations.
And we're going to have an update from staff because this has gone to council between when last we discussed it in our meeting today. So we're getting an update on that.
Yes, so all was unanimously approved. So the entry fees which we had to come back for so that would be $5 entry fee two years and under would be free and then we also or council also approve the five thousand dollars to be included for any sort of waivers for low income participants. We also created a resolution to change the lifeguard pay to $25 an hour set rate flat fee.
We also showed the OUSD agreement between the city and OUSD which is approved, reviewed and then the hours.
0:40 – 0:4518 turns
Any of the changes between our meeting and what you presented to council?
Yeah, so I was going to propose earlier hours 9 to 1 which was what I proposed last time. We changed that. So it was approved 11 to 3 Monday through Friday and then also Sunday hours were adjusted slightly 2 to 6 p.m.. And there is a possibility to have a few hours on Saturday depending on the YMCA's sessions
And that's something you're working on right now.
So, right now we're actively hiring for lifeguards so we don't have a set date to open yet but it's in process. Yes?
Just out of curiosity how's the hiring are you finding that you're getting enough applicants?
Yeah, we have two already staff members that are totally certified as lifeguard at this moment and then we are moving forward with three more So they should be fully trained towards the end of June.
We can come back and have questions, or is there anyone we want to have before we do our public comment? Or then we'll open discussion. Any other questions for right now?
You mentioned, can you talk a little bit more about the low income resolution?
So right now we do have waivers at the Recreation Department for programming there. So this would go towards the entry fee so people would have to go to the Recreation Department provide that necessary documents fill out the application for approval.
Thank you. You're welcome. Any other questions right now? Okay, so we will go to public comment So we have one card for this bill Miley
Hello The City Council agenda item on Tuesday the aquatic plan is Went very well in my opinion. Presentation was clear, detailed as a beginning new community program. I am pleased to see the proposed hours of aquatic center community use adjusted towards the warmer times of the day especially during the summertime However, I did not hear anything about summer hours yet. Maybe I didn't hear right.
During the commission discussion it was noted that community use and demand would be recorded for adjustment of schedules to meet community needs in the future. That fits my logic very well for a brand new venture. The efforts to create purchase plans, options for families and individuals. Multiple time prices would be created, that's great. That the wages for the lifeguards were looked at in surrounding cities and adjusted for averaging If I were a young person, a four to five hour work assignment would be great for $125. Especially with the goal of saving people in a public pool and few of my grandkids were lifeguards in Palo Alto.
This continues to be a significant and key programming plan by our city rec department to bring an aquatic center facility to our community, to our valley community. This effort working collaboratively with the Iowa Unified School District is exciting and innovative. I am looking to the future for summer programming And swimming lessons for kids and adults who never had them. Thank you.
Thanks, Bill. OK, now we can open discussion. I was realizing what they put. You guys presented costs, total cost for the year at that meeting too. Can you share that with this commission?
62,500 total. That's including the $5,000 for the low-income waivers.
And then the setup for swim lessons that are with the...that's also the Y, the startup cost for the Y?
I believe that was separate. Oh,
that's separate. Yeah. Okay. All right well we'll open it up to discussion if anybody has thoughts they want or questions or things they want to discuss.
I think you might have shared this last meeting, forgetting that. How is the staffing model? Are you doing three on at a time and a manager?
Three on at a time and office staff. And the office staff might also be trained as lifeguard for emergencies.
0:45 – 0:5133 turns
And you had questions about hiring?
Did I ask questions about hiring?
Where we are on that.
I just appreciate that we were able to move the hours to something that makes sense for families. You know, in summertime kids sleeping in you know maybe eight or nine and those warmer times of the day are when we want to see them open up the pool and y'all got that done so I'm appreciative of that. We'll see how that goes. I didn't totally hear the hours on Sunday is it two to six? Is that what you said? Two to six. Okay I got that right great
And then part of the discussion at council was also about ongoing, they're going to have the data will be being collected from all of the entries and that's reviewed you know quickly after it opens to see where things are. Because the goal is to expand if possible based on staffing availability which is obviously a hurdle at this point and how many users we have so it'll be an ongoing you know very regular check-in to
see
where there are possibilities where it's working
How will we collect that data to know if people, more people would have come or stayed till five? What's the plan on that?
We'll have a QR code survey there. So just posted from day one. People can make their recommendations and comments there.
And actually part of the scheduling is constraints because we don't have access to the pool. The city doesn't have access to the pool on weekdays from 345 to 545. Correct. The schools are using it then, so that's a constraint just on the timing as well. Even
in the summer? Yeah. Okay, okay. Solves that.
So that's the three o'clock cutoff.
Yeah, we would actually be out at 330. So the total four hours for a lifeguard would be five hours with 30-minute set up, 30-minute breakdown.
One of the things that came up as it was a community question is about lap swimming and we still have work to do there because it turns out the lanes are not going to be in the pool because Water Polo will be using it. And so I think, well Christy had suggested that maybe buying A lighter weight kind of a rope with floats on it versus the really heavy ones that take two people to do half the time We'll need to do that. And I think the thing from my standpoint on that is As long as we have one at least to delineate ends, I think that might be the best we can do. They'll still be able to see the lanes under the water but I don't think we're going to be able to offer full lap with all of the traditional laps. But just because someone asked that question and so I think it's good to be clear about that.
You can lap swim in that end of the pool but it won't be all fully set up. So there's still a lap swim area, but lots of things. I mean you guys are working as you go and figuring it out as it comes up. But no, it was a good discussion. Council was excited. Everybody is ready to go so now the hiring part. So if anybody know anybody who's looking for a job? Bring them over. And get paid well. Bring
them over. Marcelle talk to your
friends. You did
right?
I think you did yeah.
Parents out there who are listening. Who have children who need that summer job?
Or anyone in the room.
So I think at this point we've had our discussion, if there are more questions come up we'll keep putting it back on and getting updates and have the opportunities to feedback into it. And any time we come up with anything we can make recommendations to council but I think we're moving.
What is the opening date?
Hoping by the end of June, okay
Well as a father of an eight-year-old I plan to go and do some check ins at the pool myself And just you know collect data that way
On the ground.
That's right So I'll
report back during open session
Okay
Okay, well now item four is What is the age requirement to be a lifeguard just like Question what's the age requirement to attend the
pool without adult supervision?
I 14.
Thank
you. Okay, is everybody ready to move on? Item four ad hoc committee aquatics So recommendation is to discuss creating an ad hoc Aquatics Committee and appoint members if approved before we had a community pool Ad-hoc but I think we're moving now to go to do in aquatics Specific to like more programming related versus facility related. Yes
0:51 – 0:5519 turns
So
Before we get into our discussion, I guess that's that is what we will be discussing and we have one card so we have public comment from Bill Miley Come on up.
Hello, since this aquatic program is new for 2026 and it's very detailed and change Having a focused two-member structure subcommittee to work on seems very appropriate, especially in working with the Ohio Unified School District. It establishes an ongoing communication process which is really important.
Okay and now we will open discussion. So anyone have comments? Seems like a good idea to everyone.
I think it's a good idea.
Anyone want to make a motion to form the committee?
I make a motion to form an aquatics program, an aquatics ad hoc committee.
All in favor? Aye. Okay, so now we've formed a committee. I'll nominate myself. Okay excellent. I'll second that nomination. Yes all in favor? Wait I need a playmate. Oh yes we
can do them both at the same time okay good
yes another member anyone
interested
I don't have all the experience that maybe others might have, certainly not that you have, Brenda. But if others have served their time on ad hoc committees and they'd like to hand off some of that responsibility, I'm willing to learn and serve.
Interest is the quality. Interests.
Interests in what? Yeah. I feel like, um...I am interested to support the aquatics program.
I'll second that. Did you motion? I seconded. All in favor?
Aye!
And then it will be two people and you guys will work together to set up times and work with Christy. That
sounds great.
Thank you. Item 5 RFP for Sarzodi Playground. Recommendation is to receive an oral update from the Recreation Manager regarding the Parks and Recreation Commission's previous actions related to the Sarzodi playground request for proposal that were presented to the City Council on June 2nd following the update Discuss the item and offer recommendations or proposed revisions on the information provided So update it was presented at June 2nd action is taken. So Chrissy will you give us a presentation of what happened?
0:55 – 1:0118 turns
Yes, so I gave the information on the grant that we have at this moment. It does have an expiration date that is coming very soon. It does have a lot of paperwork that we need to fill out going through the stages. So right now we can possibly file for an extension in the fall But if we get started now, I spoke to the California Parks and we've got about 30 days to submit hopefully some sort of information that we have possibly a planner. We went out for RFP. I did update her on that. And so they're hoping that within 30 days we would have somebody chosen. So if we can get on this, we have a better chance to move forward and receive the grant.
So is it one of the things, thank you for that. Is it one of the things like if we get our paperwork in and it's in motion that we don't lose the grant?
Yeah, yeah.
We have to get that.
Or getting started I think is really the
key to it all.
She's very happy and they're very supportive and they have stated to me as long as you're working with us we'll work with you and we'll go all along the way but We could have something almost finished by next year, June maybe if we can get started now. And it's not like we're creating this park. We already have the, you know, we've already got it there and so, you know, we're not doing anything at this point besides asking for the playground. So structures, you know, maybe adding on that little area where Horseshoes were doing walking path, we can create the RFP and put some requirements or questions in there with some information.
And council was very supportive. Very supportive. In fact, they suggested that really within this month between now and next month they're trying to develop the RFP or RFQ or whatever they're going to formulate to do and bring it back to us. And they're happy to have it go just to us and not back to council. Yes.
They
figure we have enough. Thank you. There is also a lot of discussion, it won't be part of this project but about the water feature. There's a lot of people interested in looking at that water feature but I think the decision is really that that is such a different project than the playground and the complexity level is so high that they're really Separate things great that there's interest in both, you know are important but Yeah, and for everyone who's out there The playground is going to go back in the same spot that it's in now just so that it isn't going somewhere else in the park It's going to be the area there with the expansion into where they're used to be horseshoes most likely and it will be for both age groups Yes, just so people understand what we're working on and the goal is once we get the RFP going That then when we get some options We can hopefully have a public meeting and invite people in to you know To see what what we're working on because hopefully that way were I don't know it what they'll decide but it sounds like It's possible to do an RFP for the design and the construction, and the planning all as one.
And I think that would be the goal if it's possible. But I don't understand all of the intricacies of RFPs for the city. So but that would be ideal because then I think we could move faster.
And I may be, I would like to suggest something. So we do have a playground ad hoc committee right now. Yeah. So if I could get started on this with the RFP with the playground ad hoc you know maybe we wouldn't have to wait until the next meeting to look it over If we because we're gonna go off the survey results that the community already, you know provided We're gonna go off of that. We're gonna go off of the size
So there'll be an informational piece in there. We'll provide them a survey. Yeah. Yes.
Yeah so I don't know how you feel about that if we're just gonna wait till the next meeting to look it over and review or if we can
I'm hoping that the work will be done and then it'll come here. Okay meeting. Okay We'll present a basically a formal like already already RFP and then just get any you know, a little bit You know just float up here make sure it's makes sense to everybody okay and get any feedback that might be helpful Okay And as far as the committee goes You and I are on the committee.
We should probably just try and schedule a couple of meetings in this short period of time, and just try to knock it out. Okay, so whatever we'll work on with your schedule Perfect. Okay, so no action is necessary there but just very exciting and
very
exciting
Looking forward to it Yeah, and and another thing is this is playground? This is not Sarasota Park master plan. This is not you know Pathways and any other stuff playground
But this last meeting for the council turned out to be just parks. Yeah, which was lovely. It's lovely for all of us and I think that there is an interest in hearing from us on these projects and giving feedback and really continuing the communication.
1:01 – 1:0320 turns
Christy you said something about the woman at Parks was asked something about having a designer within 30 days or? The
RFP.
Just the RFP, if you have the RFP within 30 days...
She was actually hoping that we would have it chosen within 30 days. Oh
well that's probably not possible right? Is it possible?
Well, you have to. I mean, I don't know a lot about these things, but you have the you have to have the RFP up for a certain period of time. Yeah. So there's I don' I don't know that. I don''t know that I think it is.
Yeah,
but that's just me. Yeah, I could be
two weeks, but I'm not positive. But that's something that I could do more research on. And, you know, it's up to you if we want to get out earlier or wait until the next meeting. Sounds
like you want to have the RFP brought here to be looked at? Yes. Say yes.
I think that's an appropriate step.
Got it.
And I and I think that Yeah, any action would be great From the standpoint of we can at least say here's our RFP We've put out even if we have to wait however many days to get responses
in This person from parks also told you that they're just as long as you're staying in communication That's good. It's not a deal-breaker that They don't have a selected RFP within 30 days
No, we do. We have a timeline. We have a deadline so but I don't think that makes a huge difference. The
deadline is June of 27? June 30th
2027. So yeah it's...we
have a year. That's
when that's when it expires right so there's like before that
I'm hoping that having some action taken. Yes, I love it All right. Any other discussion on that or questions? No, it was great. Okay. All right. Then we will move on to ad hoc committee reports. I guess my only report is I was at the city council meeting and was able to give some feedback and be part of a little answer questions. And I thought it was very productive for both the pool and the playground.
And then Commissioner member reports anybody have anything they want to talk about Well, it could be other things Let's see future agenda items
1:03 – 1:0715 turns
I have a future agenda item. You know, I've got some background in the positive youth development field and done a lot of reading from organizations like the Search Institute and SOLD which is the Science of Learning Development. The research really indicates that the relationships with adults in the out-of-school time space that we provide through youth programming is really, really beneficial in increasing factors of thriving for young people that even reflects itself back into their academics, back into school. So the research is showing partnerships between schools and out-of-school time spaces are key. And we have amazing facilities, we have great programs but I'm curious about it's the people and the relationships and how they work with young people that really allow positive youth development to soar.
And so I would like I would like us to get a report from city. I would like to learn more about the training programs that we are currently using for youth-facing adults at various levels in the city parks and rec programs, and to see if they're as good of quality as they possibly can be, and then discuss with each other how to make sure that we are getting the best training for adults that are going to be working with our young people
And I, as part of that if you're open to an addition maybe a review of all the different programs that we're doing for youth. Just kind of go over our youth programming to get a better picture of all that is available.
Yeah, I mean, you know, I'd love some guidance from the rest of the commission. But another area that I'm very interested in us exploring is how to expand what our offerings are and particularly there's people working in other communities to create things like human libraries and try to bring in all the different assets, different human assets to work with young people through internships, interest-led activities And I wonder about the role of parks and recreation in, you know, helping make available to the young people in our city.
The skilled adults that are in our city and sometimes it could be through a formal program but what is also happening is there's more Personalized opportunities a particular program is one called community share that that basically creates an interest managed Human library. So if a young person came to parks and rec, it's like wow I'm really interested in this field and Parks and Rec if they're working with community share or they had their own thing They could go online and look and say who in Ojai has that skill set and that kid could be matched with a pre-approved Possibly fingerprinted mentor. When would we bring that for a future plan? Yeah, a future
agenda item
Certainly
and I think in what the agenda item can be is the discussion of what it is. We'd like to look at right?
I would love
that Thank you start there That's the guidance on me about the resources that we have that we might want to understand better from their the rec department
Yeah,
they present what they're doing
be amazing
And so we'll start there
got it
and then we'll develop what we think we were interested in. Is that yes workable. Okay good Any other ideas for future agenda items?
Well, that's discussion. Okay, okay. Shade cells
1:08 – 1:1115 turns
Or shade at Libby, is that good for you? Yes. Shade at Libbey Park? Yes, shade at Libby Playground. OK. And then I think we also just need to have obvious like a standing item right now on both the pool and the playground. It will be on our discussion items for every meeting, and then we'll add in other things. Would that
be ad hoc? Do you mean as items? I mean, as items so
that we can
discuss them. Because if it's just like a standing update, aquatic update
discussion, it'll be discussion slash action because we're going to get new information all the time. So we'll have the option of action, but it will be we'll do it as a discussion item under, you know, under discussion items. OK, but we'll just so we'll just keep it standing for playground and pool.
No, I didn't have one other future agenda item. Do we have do we have defibrillators set up at Sarazote And or Libby, are there defibrillators in the park? I think there's at Libby by the
theater. There's also at Sarasota in the gym.
That's the 80s.
OK.
All right. Anything else? That's it. All right. This was lovely. Thank you all for coming. Yeah. I'm going to adjourn our meeting at 7 10. Thank you. Nice.
Jamie. I haven't seen Jamie in quite a while. I know he moved to Nashville
full-time. And they do those programs in the high school? Some of our kids have done those
programs. Yeah, and I think what we found especially last year... Thanks Christy! The last year we did it in particular, the drop off was like crazy. Yeah.
I think we can't do this, but even if we are advisory, we're trying to be good.
You haven't gotten the information by the way. No, so now you have to.