CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025, 6:00 PM
KENT HALL – CITY HALL CAMPUS – 111 W SANTA ANA ST, OJAI, CA
ANDY GILMAN, MAYOR
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
DISTRICT 1 – LESLIE RULE DISTRICT 3 – ANDREW WHITMAN
DISTRICT 2 – RACHEL LANG, MAYOR PRO TEM DISTRICT 4 – KIM MANG
BEN HARVEY MATTHEW SUMMERS WESTON MONTGOMERY
CITY MANAGER CITY ATTORNEY CHIEF DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Mayor Gilman called the Regular Meeting of the Ojai City Council to order on January 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
On the call of the roll, the following were present in the Council Chambers: Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Lang, and Council Members Rule, Whitman, and Mang.
Also present in the Kent Hall Chambers: City Manager Harvey, Assistant City Manager Alameda, City Attorney Summers, Community Development Director Seibert, Public Works Director Palmer, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Montgomery.
ABSENCES
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chief Deputy City Clerk Montgomery led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Mang, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve the Agenda of the January 28, 2025, Regular Meeting, as reordered by the City Council, with the remainder of the items not covered Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Ojai City Council Minutes
ojai.ca.gov
2 to be continued to a February 4, 2025, Special Meeting.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Mang, Gilman, Lang, Rule
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to continue Item 4 (City of Ojai Traffic Motor Officer FY 2024-25) to a datecertain on the February 4, 2025 Special Meeting.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Rule, Lang, Gilman, Mang Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Council Action:
Mayor Gilman replaced Council Member Mang as the second Council Member to request Item 7 on the agenda be considered.
PRESENTATION
City Manager Harvey provided a presentation regarding the City of Ojai’s Wind and Fire Storm Response and a path forward to the City Council Goals 2025/6 session on a future agenda.
COMMISSION REPORTS
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS (30-MINUTE)
Council Action:
Consent through the Mayor reached to complete the total amount of public comment speaker cards instead of utilizing the Public Comment (Remainder) option on the agenda.
CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 1.a – 1.h)
All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are to be considered routine by the governing bodies and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed. There will be no discussion of these items unless, before the governing body votes on the motion to adopt, specific items are removed from the Consent Calendar for separate motions.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Ojai City Council Minutes
ojai.ca.gov
3 1. a) Waiver of Reading in Full of Any and All Ordinances Listed on this Agenda and Provide that they be Read by Title Only and Directing the Clerk to Assign an Ordinance Number Upon Successful Introduction b) City of Ojai Warrants for December 2, 2024 – January 5, 2025 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
c) November 2024 and December 2024 Treasurer’s Monthly Report of Cash and Investments for the City of Ojai
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
d) Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission from the November 14, 2024, Regular Meeting
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
e) Minutes of the Ojai Planning Commission from the November 6, 2024, Regular Meeting
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
f) Minutes of the Ojai City Council from: December 17, 2024, Special Meeting; December 10, 2024, Regular Meeting; and February 13, 2024, Regular Meeting
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
g) Authorize City Manager to Execute Agreement with California Solar Electric Systems, Inc. for Purchase and Installation of Four (4) Tesla Power Wall 3 Battery Systems.
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with California Solar Electric Systems, Inc. for purchase and installation of Four (4) Tesla Power Wall 3 Battery Systems at the Public Works Administrative Office located at 408 South Signal Street. The Tesla Power Wall 3 System will provide battery backup power and offset peak power use periods to decrease elective demand and charges for electricity at 408 South Signal Street (Public Works Office).
h) Approve the City Council Recess Meeting Schedule for Summer and Winter 2025 and Adopt a Resolution for Regular Meeting Cancellations RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt a resolution to create a summer and winter recess by cancelling regular meetings of the City Council on July 22, 2025, and August 12, 2025, for summer, and December 23, 2025, and January 13, 2025, for winter.
Council Action:
Mayor Gilman Pulled 1.h for discussion.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Ojai City Council Minutes
ojai.ca.gov
4 Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to modify the recommendation and resolution to cancel the July 22, 2025, and December 23, 2025, Regular Meetings for 2025 Council recesses.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Lang, Rule, Mang, Gilman, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Council Member Whitman, to approve the remainder of the January 28, 2025, Consent Calendar, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Gilman, Whitman, Lang, Rule, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
DISCUSSION
2. Selection of Council Representatives to Local, County and Regional Boards
RECOMMENDATION: Review current assignments and appoint Council representatives and alternates to 14 local, county, and regional boards, plus one City of Ojai Committee.
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Mang, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 2, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Mang, Gilman, Rule, Lang, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS (REMAINDER)
DISCUSSION
3. Discussion of the Ojai Cabin Village Cost Model
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Ojai City Council Minutes
ojai.ca.gov
5 RECOMMENDATION:
1. Provide comment and feedback on the Cabin Village Cost model; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to proceed in the development and negotiation of an operational funding agreement with the County of Ventura for future operational support of the Ojai Cabin Village.
Item 3 continued to the February 4, 2025 Special Meeting
4. City of Ojai Traffic Motor Officer FY 2024-25
RECOMMENDATION: Direct the City Manager to:
1. Enter into an agreement on behalf of the City to purchase a fully-equipped, used motorcycle from the City of Thousand Oaks at a reduced rate; and
2. Enter into an agreement with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to deploy a full-time (40 hours per week with no backfill) Deputy Sheriff serving in the capacity as a full-time traffic motor officer within the City of Ojai.
Item 4 continued to the February 4, 2025 Special Meeting
5. Professional Services Agreement for Case Management Services with HELP of Ojai
RECOMMENDATION: Direct the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with HELP of Ojai for case management services for Ojai Tent Town and Ojai Cabin Village Project participants.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Council Member Rule, to approve Item 5, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor and one (1) against.
Ayes: Lang, Whitman, Rule, Gilman
Noes: Mang
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
6. Introduce an ordinance amending and restating Section 9-1.1001 and adding Section 9-1.701(g) of the Ojai Municipal Code to establish efficiency requirements for single-family homeowners for certain renovations and additions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Ojai
RECOMMENDATION: Introduce an ordinance amending and restating Section 9-1.1001 and adding Section 9-1.701(g) of the Ojai Municipal Code to establish efficiency requirements for single-family homeowners for certain renovations and additions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Ojai.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Ojai City Council Minutes
ojai.ca.gov
6 Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 2, as recommended, and set the second reading of the ordinance to return in 45 days.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was two (2) in favor and three (3) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Lang
Noes: Gilman, Rule, Mang
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION FAILS
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Gilman, with a second by Council Member Rule, to direct staff to solicit more community input for feedback, and to return with the feedback after the upcoming City Council goal-setting session.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Lang, Rule, Gilman, Mang, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
7. REQUEST FROM COUNCIL MEMBER RULE AND COUNCIL MEMBER
MANG – Consider whether to appeal the Planning Commission decision to approval a Design Review Permit (DRP 23-006) for exterior renovation and addition to the existing winery structure and site; including landscaping, outdoor seating, activity areas, increased parking, and a shuttle and pedestrian crossing over the existing Ventura County bike path to join the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa site to the south; An amendment to the existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP 14-01) including alignment for revisions to outdoor dining and activities, and addition of a section of 4- feet high chain link fence; A Tree Permit (T 3-024) for the removal of eight protected trees; Existing winery is located at 821 West Ojai Avenue, Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 024-0-020-100; The subject site has a General Plan Land Use Designation of General Commercial (GC), Zoning Classification of General Commercial (C-1) and is within the Thoroughfare Corridor Overlay (T-C-O) District. The Planning Commission approved the proposed project on January 15, 2025. The proposed project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act per CEQA Guidelines Section 15301. Owner: Ojai Valley Inn and Spa (OVIS) Land Inc. Representative: Chris Kandziora, OVIS, General Manager RECOMMENDATION: Determine whether to appeal the Planning Commission’s January 15, 2025 decision to approve a design review permit, conditional use permit, and tree permit for the expansion and modification to the Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Ojai City Council Minutes
ojai.ca.gov
7 existing winery and restaurant located at 821 West Ojai Avenue.
No Council Action on Item 7. Motion by Council Member Rule to appeal the Planning Commission decision failed to receive a second.
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Well Permit Application Approval for 300 Longhorn Lane – Water Supply Well for Domestic Use
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive the administrative report outlining the well permit application; and
2. Open the public hearing for public comment; and
3. Approve a well permit application for a domestic water supply well at the residence of 300 Longhorn lane submitted by property owners Greg and Suzanne Combs; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to take all necessary actions to implement City Council's approval.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 8, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Rule, Whitman, Gilman, Mang, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
9. CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 12, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Appeal of Planning Commission Decision | Regarding an appeal of Planning Commission decision to approve the request for a Design Review Permit (DRP 23-020) and Conditional Use Permit (CUP 23-009), including off-site overflow parking at 1216 East Ojai Avenue for weekly, monthly, annual events, and weddings at the Capri Hotel located at 1180 East Ojai Avenue. Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 028-0-073-040 and 028-0- 072-300; General Plan Land Use Designation and Zoning Classification General Commercial (C-1). Owner’s Representative, Kenny Osehan for the property owner, Steve Edelson; Appellant, Richard Daugherty RECOMMENDATION:
1. Open the hearing, accept public testimony, and close the public hearing; and
2. Consider adoption of a resolution (Attachment A) upholding the Planning Commission’s August 7, 2024, decision to approve the request for Design Review Permit (DRP 23-020) and Conditional Use Permit (CUP 23-009) as the modifications to the events are in keeping with the associated findings and subject to the conditions of approval.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Ojai City Council Minutes
ojai.ca.gov
8 Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Council Member Rule, to approve Item 9, with a minor modification to the resolution’s Exhibit A-Section 28- ii.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Mang, Lang, Gilman, Whitman, Rule
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORTS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the January 28, 2025, Regular Meeting at 11:05 p.m., until the February 4, 2025, Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Prepared by: Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk