CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 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 24, 2025, at 6:10 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 Mayor Gilman, to approve the Agenda of the June 24, 2025, Regular Meeting.
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor, with five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes ojai.ca.gov
2 COMMISSION REPORTS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Harvey provided the oral report which included the commencement of the Motorcycle Sheriff’s Deputy patrol and increased traffic stops to promote public education. City Manager Harvey concluded the report with an update regarding the Trolley service recruitment efforts and Sunday Trolley service addition, and that Police Chief Jenkins would be providing public outreach in the Foothill Rd. area due to increased criminal activity.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 1.a – 1.k)
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 26, 2025 – June 8, 2025 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
c) May 2025 Treasurer’s Monthly Report of Cash and Investments for the City of Ojai
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
d) Minutes of the Ojai City Council from the June 10, 2025, Special Meeting for Closed Session and the June 10, 2025, Regular Meeting RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
e) Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission from the April 10, 2025, Regular Meeting and May 22, 2025, Special Meeting RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
f) Annual Request for Services – Ventura County Animal Services RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to submit the annual Request for Services to Ventura County Animal Services for Fiscal Year 2025/2026, for the existing service level and updated service costs. g) Ratification of Re-Appointment of Resident Commissioner to the Area Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes ojai.ca.gov
3 RECOMMENDATION: Ratify the Area Housing Authority’s re-appointment of Angela Bradley as Ojai’s Resident Commissioner to the Area Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for a two-year re-appointment term, to begin on June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2027.
h) Ratification of Appointments to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council
RECOMMENDATION: Appoint two proposed applicants to serve as Advisory Council representation to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
i) Two Councilmember Request: Comment Letter on Environmental Impact Study Regarding Increase in Space Launches at Vandenberg RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council consider whether to submit a comment letter on the Environmental Impact Study to address a proposed increase in rocket launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base (Vandenberg).
j) SB 79 (Wiener) Transit-oriented Development | Notice of Opposition RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in opposition to SB 79 (Wiener) and send to the Senate Appropriations Committee. k) Recommendation to Amend Fiscal Year 2024/25 Budget
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the suggested amendments to the Fiscal Year 2024/25 City of Ojai (City) Budget.
Council Member Whitman pulled Item 1.g and Item 1.i for discussion.
Council Member Rule pulled Item 1.j for discussion.
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Rule, 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, 1.i, and 1.j.
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor, with five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 1.g, as recommended.
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor, with five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes ojai.ca.gov
4 Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 1.i, as recommended, including a modification to the letter including additional approved language from public comment.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Rule, Mang, Lang, Gilman, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 1.j, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was three (3) in favor and two (2) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Mang, Lang
Noes: Gilman, Rule
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
PUBLIC HEARING
2.a) Recommended Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget and Annual GANN Appropriations Limit
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommended FY2025-2026 Budget and complete the budget review;
2. Review and approve the GANN Appropriations Limit computation;
3. Adopt a Resolution establishing the GANN Appropriations Limit for FY2025-2026; and
4. Adopt a Resolution adopting the FY2025-2026 Budget.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget and Annual GANN Appropriations Limit, as recommended, and to include five (5) Budget modifications (as listed in the following Roll Call approvals).
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Gilman, Mang, Rule, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes ojai.ca.gov
5 Roll Call:
To approve a Historic Preservation Commission expenditure item addition for a historical survey, in the amount of $63,000.
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
Roll Call:
To approve an adjustment for the Ventura County Animal Services annual agreement, in the amount of $22,000.
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
Roll Call:
To approve an increase in the Museum operations, from $65,000 to $75,000 On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Gilman, Lang, Mang, Rule Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Roll Call:
To approve an increase in the Arts Grants budget, from $30,000 to $100,000.
On the call of the roll, the vote was three (3) in favor and two (2) against.
Ayes: Rule, Lang, Gilman
Noes: Whitman, Mang
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Roll Call:
To approve an increase in the Ojai Day expenditure item addition, for contracted Ojai Day Mandala services, in the amount of $5,000.
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Lang, Whitman, Gilman, Rule, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes ojai.ca.gov
6 2.b) Recommendation to Review and Consider Annual Fiscal Year 2025/26 Statement of Investment Policy
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving the revised City of Ojai Statement of Investment Policy, and repeal and replace all prior resolutions and policies relating to the City’s Statement of Investment Policy, including but not limited to, the provisions contained within Investment Policy Resolution 24- 20 adopted June 11, 2024.
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 2.b, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Mang, Rule, Gilman, Whitman, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
2.c) Adoption of a Resolution Amending the Salary Schedule to Update Salary Ranges for City Employees to include a 1.8% Cost of Living Adjustment for Fiscal Year 2025-26, Add the Classification of Assistant to the City Manager, and Delete the Classification of Assistant City Manager, to be Effective July 7, 2025
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt Resolution No 25-____, Amending the Salary Schedule to update Salary Ranges for City employees, except the City Manager classification, to include a 1.8% Cost of Living Adjustment for Fiscal Year 2025-26, add the classification of Assistant to the City Manager, and delete the classification of Assistant City Manager, to be effective July 7, 2025.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman with a second by Council Member Rule, to continue to Cost of Living Increase portion, to approve the classification of Assistant to the City Manager, to add Deputy City Manager, and to keep Assistant City Manager on the Salary Schedule.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Gilman, Mang, Rule, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
DISCUSSION
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes ojai.ca.gov
7 3. Communication Support Services Proposal – Tripepi Smith RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with Tripepi Smith for communication support services for Fiscal Year 25-26 in an amount not to exceed $136,500.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 3, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Rule, Lang, Mang, Gilman, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
4. Concept Review: Wildfire Safety and Risk Mitigation Services RECOMMENDATION: Select one of the following options:
1. Discuss and determine a list of City-desired wildfire safety and risk mitigation services/programs that may be solicited through a request for proposal effort; or
2. Discuss and review the proposal for wildfire safety and risk mitigation services submitted by the Ojai Fire Safe Council, selecting some or all of the proposed services, and authorize the City Manager to enter into a corresponding professional services agreement.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman with a second by Council Member Rule, to approve the proposal submitted by the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council for consultant services, with a 90-day assessment and review period clause.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was three (3) in favor and two (2) against.
Ayes: Gilman, Rule, Lang
Noes: Whitman, Mang
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Mang and Council Member Whitman requested a return of the Clean Power Alliance related Flexpath item.
Council Member Mang and Mayor Gilman requested an item on the proactive approach to Code Enforcement procedure.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Ojai City Council Regular Meeting Minutes ojai.ca.gov
8 Council Member Whitman and Mayor Gilman requested a report on the City’s Building Appeals Board, and on consolidation and Council options.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the June 24, 2025, at 11:00 p.m., until the July 8, 2025 Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Prepared by: Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk