CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025
CLOSED SESSIONS – 5:00 PM
OPEN SESSION – 6:30 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 Special Meeting of the Ojai City Council to order on July 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
On the call of the roll, the following were present in the Kent Hall Chambers:
Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Lang, and Council Members Rule, Whitman and Mang.
Also present in the Kent Hall 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 Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Ojai City Council Special Meeting Minutes 2 approve the Agenda of the July 29, 2025, Special Meeting.
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor.
CLOSED SESSION
1. Liability Claims (Gov. Code § 54956.95)
Pamela S. Greer Claim Against City
2. Public Employment (Gov. Code § 54957)
City Attorney
City Manager Harvey reported out of closed session that two firms were chosen for near-term interviews, and a summary would be released to the public when available.
OPEN SESSION (6:30 PM)
3. Two Council Member Request (Lang and Rule): Review of Proposal Received from Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council and Options for Fire Hardening and Wildfire Safety and Risk Mitigation Services
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the proposal for fire hardening, wildfire safety and risk mitigation services received from the Ojai Fire Safe Council, and determine whether to either:
1.Further refine the proposal through the creation of a City Council subcommittee; -OR -
2. Develop a list of desired fire hardening, wildfire safety and risk mitigation services and direct staff to initiate a request for proposal/qualifications effort, soliciting the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council and other entities.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Council Member Rule, to (1) request the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council revise the recommended proposal and return to the City Council with the Scope of Services for items “A” through “B1” for review, (2) direct staff to notice a Request for Proposals for “fuel reduction/removal” services (specifically on City properties and around the Libbey Park and City Hall Campus areas), and (3) direct staff to return with budget estimates for discussion (for emergency siren alert services and fire prevention and mitigation on the annual budget).
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor and one (1) against.
Ayes: Rule, Whitman, Gilman, Lang
Noes: Mang
Abstain: None
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Ojai City Council Special Meeting Minutes 3 Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the July 29, 2025, Special Meeting at 9:00 p.m., until the August 12, 2025 Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Prepared by: Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk