CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 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 June 10, 2025, at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
On the call of the roll, the following were present in the Kent Hall Council Chambers: Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Lang, and Council Members Rule, Whitman, and Mang.
Also present in the Kent Hall Council Chambers: City Manager Harvey, City Attorney Summers, 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 Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Council Member Rule, to approve the Agenda of the June 10, 2025, Regular Meeting.
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor, with five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2 PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 1.a – 1.i)
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.
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 May 12, 2025 – May 25, 2025 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
c) Minutes of the Ojai City Council from the May 27, 2025, Special Meeting for Closed Session and the May 27, 2025, Regular Meeting RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
d) Minutes of the Ojai Planning Commission from the May 7, 2025, Regular Meeting
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
e) Award of Maintenance Agreements
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute PW Agreement No. 2025-02 with Prudential Overall Supply for a not-to-exceed of $15,000 for FY 25/26; and authorize the City Manager to execute future amendments for up to four (4) additional one-year terms.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute PW Agreement No. 2025-03 with Green Globe HVAC for a not-to-exceed of $40,000.00 for FY 25/26; and authorize the City Manager to execute future amendments for up to four (4) additional one-year terms.
f) On-Call Trade and Professional Services – Award of Agreements RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute On-Call Trade and Professional Services Agreements and authorize the City Manager to execute task orders with the selected contractors or consultants for “as needed” work; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute future amendments for up to two (2) additional one-year terms with compensation not-to-exceed $75,000 for each on-call Trade Agreements; and authorize the City Manager to Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3 execute future amendments for up to one (1) two-year term for each oncall Professional Services Agreements; and
3. Receive and file the task orders issued during FY 24/25. g) Selection of an Energy Service Company to Perform the City-Owned Facility Electrification Program Investment Grade Audit RECOMMENDATION: Affirm staff’s recommended selection of the Energy Service Company (ESCO), Climatec, to perform the City-Owned Facility Energy Electrification Program (FEEP) Investment Grade Audit (IGA). h) Acceptance of REAP 2.0 Grant Funding from Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement for Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP)
2.0 funding in an amount not to exceed $150,000 with the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) for bus stop improvement projects within the City.
i) Amendment to Authorization for the Purchase of two (2) 2020 LPG Hometown Trolleys from Specialty Vehicles – Request for Additional Funding
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Purchase Agreement with Specialty Vehicles for the purchase of two Trolleys to increase the purchase amount to $254,067.50 to cover applicable sales/use tax in the amount of $8,480.00.
Mayor Pro Tem Lang pulled Items 1.g and 1.h for discussion.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Council Member Whitman, to approve the Consent Calendar of the June 10, 2025, Regular Meeting, except for pulled items 1.g and 1.h.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Lang, Whitman, Rule, Gilman, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 4 Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Council Member Whitman, to approve Item 1.g, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Mang, Gilman, Whitman, Rule, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 1.g, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Rule, Gilman, Mang, Whitman, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Levy and Collection of Assessments for Landscape and Lighting District No. 1, Plaza Maintenance Assessment District No. 2, and Landscape and Lighting District No. 3 for FY 2025/26
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing to receive public testimony relative to the established assessments for Landscape and Lighting District No. 1, Plaza Maintenance Assessment District No. 2, and Landscape and Lighting District No. 3; and
2. Adopt a resolution ordering the work and levying the assessments for Landscape and Lighting District No. 1, Plaza Maintenance Assessment District No. 2, and Landscape and Lighting District No. 3 without an increase for FY 2025/26; and
3. Direct the City Clerk to transmit the necessary documents to the County of Ventura for the levying and collection of property assessments for said Districts.
Mayor Gilman opened the Public Hearing and accepted public comment.
Mayor Gilman closed the Public Hearing.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 5 Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, 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: Rule, Gilman, Mang, Whitman, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
PUBLIC HEARING
3. Second Reading of an Ordinance (TA 23-002) Adding Section 10-2.1712 and Repealing Section 10-2.1709(m) of the Ojai Municipal Code Related to Regulations for Movable Tiny Houses
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive the information from staff and ask clarifying questions; and
2. Take public comments; and
3. Consider the second reading of the Ordinance (TA 23-002) repealing Section 10-2.1709(m) and adding Section 10-2.1712 of the Ojai Municipal Code to revise and relocate regulations for movable tiny houses.
Mayor Gilman opened the Public Hearing and accepted public comment.
Mayor Gilman closed the Public Hearing.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman Gilman, to approve Item 3, as recommended, and to include a minor modification adding a provision regarding compostable toilet requirements.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Gilman, Mang, Rule, Lang, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
DISCUSSION
4. Recommendation to Review the City of Ojai, California, Recommended Budget for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2026 (FY 2025/26 Budget) RECOMMENDATION: Review the City of Ojai, California, Recommended Budget for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2026 (FY 2025/26 Budget) and provide feedback to the City Council.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 6 The City Council provided feedback to staff.
5. Proposed Second Amendment to Employment Agreement for City Manager and Adoption of a Resolution Amending the Salary Schedule to Update the Compensation for the City Manager Classification RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the proposed Second Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement with Benjamin Harvey.
2. Adopt Resolution No 25-__, amending the Salary Schedule to update the salary for the City Manager classification, to be effective January 29, 2025.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 5, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was three (3) in favor, one (1) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Whitman, Lang, Gilman
Noes: Mang
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
6. Report on City of Ojai’s Staff Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 (Gov. Code §3502.3 RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive and file report on City of Ojai’s Staff Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 2561.
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Rule, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 6, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Gilman, Mang, Lang, Mang, Rule
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
7. City Council Protocols – Adopt Resolution to Amend and Continue Discussion
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a Resolution to amend the City Council’s Protocols to make clear who can call a special meeting, to require a discussion at the beginning of a closed Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 7 session for Council to be briefed as to basis for the closed session to allow the City Council to vote whether to continue, and minor clerical updates; and
2. Continue the discussion about any additional changes to the City Council’s Protocols, in the City Council’s discretion, and provide direction to staff regarding the same.
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 7, as recommended, revising the Protocols as drafted.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Rule, Mang, Whitman, Gilman, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
8. Selection of Theme for the City of Ojai’s 2025 4th of July Parade Float RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council select a theme for the City of Ojai’s 4th of July Parade Float from the following three options:
1. United We Stand
2. Ojai: A Beacon of Light
3. Rooted in Nature: Growing Together
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor, with five (5) in favor and zero (0) against, to choose recommendation option #3 of Item 8.
COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORTS
Mayor Gilman reported on the annual music festival.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Harvey reported on a new change to the agenda order for the City Manager’s Report, reporting that the oral report will be in the beginning of the agenda order prior to public comments.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Whitman and Mayor Gilman recommended future agenda items regarding a Vandenburg space launches comment period position letter and an AB79 position comment letter.
ADJOURNMENT
AGENDA POSTED JUNE 6, 2025, 11:00 AM
Weston Montgomery
Chief Deputy City Clerk