MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025, 6:00 PM
KENT HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL CAMPUS - 111 W SANTA ANA ST, OJAI, CA
OJAI CITY COUNCIL
ANDY GILMAN, MAYOR
DISTRICT 1 - LESLIE RULE DISTRICT 3 - ANDREW WHITMAN
DISTRICT 2 - RACHEL LANG 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 October 14, 2025, at 6:00 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, Assistant City Attorney Anderson, 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 October 14, 2025, Regular Meeting, and to withdraw Item 7 for clarification and return.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Gilman, Lang, Whitman, Rule
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
COMMISSION REPORTS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Harvey provided an oral report.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are to be considered routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed. There will be no discussion of these items unless, before the vote on the motion to adopt, specific items are removed from the Consent Calendar for separate motions.
1. City of Ojai Warrants for August 25, 2025 – September 07, 2025 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file
Administrative Report - Warrant Report
Attachment A - Warrant Report Register
Attachment B - Warrant Cover Letter
2. City of Ojai Warrants for September 08, 2025 - September 28, 2025 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Administrative Report - Warrant Report
Attachment A - Warrant Report Register
Attachment B - Warrant Report Cover
3. Treasurer’s Monthly Report of Cash and Investments for the City of Ojai as of August 31, 2025
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Administrative Report - Treasurer's Monthly Report.
Attachment A -Treasurer's Monthly Report Aug 2025
Exhibit A - Aug 2025 Ojai Investment Plan
4. Minutes of the Ojai Arts Commission Regular Meeting, Thursday, July 17, 2025 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Minutes - Arts Commission 07-17-25
5. Holiday Cancellation of November 2025 Regular Meetings and Scheduling of a Special Meeting on November 18, 2025
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution to cancel the regular meetings scheduled for November 11 and November 25, 2025, for Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving week, and approve the scheduling of a special meeting on November 18, 2025, to accommodate the Council and City’s business needs.
Administrative Report - November 2025 Holiday Schedule
Attachment A - Resolution of Meeting Cancellations for November 2025
6. Ratify Appointment to Fill Mid-Term Vacancy on the Planning Commission RECOMMENDATION: Review and ratify nomination of applicant Katrina Rice Schmidt as Planning Commissioner to fill a mid-term vacancy on the Planning Commission.
Administrative Report - Planning Commissioner Ratification
7. Authorization of Amendment No 2 the Professional Services Agreement with Secural Security Corporation
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 with Secural Security Corporation for security services at Ojai Tent Town through June 30, 2026; and
2. Ratify expenditures incurred from February 28, 2025 to October 14, 2025; and
3. Approve budget appropriations for FY25-26 to cover anticipated services through the extended term.
Administrative Report - Secural Security - PSA Amendment No. 2 Attachment A - Amendment No. 2 to PSA
8. Approve the Purchase of a New Custom-Built Dais for the City Council Chambers in Kent Hall
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize City Manager to purchase a new custom-built Council Chambers Dais from ErgonomicHome.com, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $47,800.
Administrative Report - Council Chabers Dais
Attachment A - Estimate 5149 from Ergonomic Homecom Inc.
Attachment B - Layout of New Council Dais
Attachemnt C - Example Photos of Dais and Features
9. Award of Contract – Business License and Cannabis Software Application and Administration (BL-0025)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with HdL Companies for the implementation of a Business License and Cannabis Software Application (BL-0025).
Administrative Report - Business and Cannabis License Software Attachment A - Proposal for Business License Software - HdL Companies
10. Approval of Cybersecurity Assessment Services & NIST CSF 2.0 Compliance Review
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Infosight Inc for a one year term in an amount not to exceed $37,940 for a cybersecurity assessment and compliance review based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0.
Administrative Report - Cybersecurity Assessment Services Attachment A - InfoSight CSA
Attachment B - InfoSight Scope of Work
11. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE | Final Draft Survey Questions Regarding the Economic Diversification Element
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Administrative Report - General Plan Survey
Attachment A - Survey Questions
12. Driver Labor Contractor Agreement with Fillmore Area Transit Corporation DBA Sun Shuttle and Transit for Trolley Drivers
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorizes the City Manager to enter into a Driver Labor Contractor Agreement with Fillmore Area Transit Corporation DBA Sun Shuttle and Transit for contracted trolley drivers in an amount not to exceed $60,000.
Administrative Report - Fillmore Area Transit
Attachment A - Draft Driver Labor Contractor Agreement
Item 7 was pulled by staff and Council action.
Mayor Pro Tem Lang requested to pull Items 6 and 12.
Council Member Rule requested to pull Items 1 and 2.
Council Member Whitman requested to pull Item 6.
Council Member Mang requested to pull Items 6, 9, and 12.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve the Consent Calendar Items not pulled, Items 3, 4, 5, and 10.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Lang, Whitman, Mang, Gilman
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve the Consent Calendar Items 1 and 2.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Gilman, Mang, Whitman, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Council Member Whitman, to approve the Consent Calendar Item 6.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Whitman, Mang, Lang, Gilman
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to direct staff to return with an alternative dais design after providing feedback.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Mang, Gilman, Lang, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Council Member Whitman, to approve Consent Calendar Item 9.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Whitman, Gilman, Mang, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to direct staff to revise timeline of the General Plan update to postpone for a survey with the Chamber of Commerce and City Council feedback.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Lang, Mang, Gilman, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Consent Calendar Item 12.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was three (3) in favor, one (1) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Lang, Gilman, Whitman
Noes: Mang
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
DISCUSSION
13. Code Compliance Proactive Approach
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Discuss and consider directing staff to implement a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to Code Compliance for:
a. Inoperable vehicles;
b. Unpermitted construction activity; and
c. The Ojai Arcade and Arcade Plaza Design Guidelines and Municipal Code requirements related to signage, outdoor displays, and outdoor dining.
2. Discuss and consider directing staff to organize and host an educational forum for downtown business, property owners, and the public, on Design Guidelines and Municipal Code requirements related to signage, outdoor displays, and outdoor dining in The Ojai Arcade and Arcade Plaza.
3. Discuss and determine whether additional areas of desired proactive code enforcement should be identified, and if City Council consensus exists, direct staff to return with an estimate for the effort and any corresponding budget allocations must be made.
Administrative Report - Code Compliance Proactive Approach Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 13 as recommended, direct staff to return with cost estimate, and create informational material for residents.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Lang, Whitman, Gilman, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
14. Concept Review - Aspire Broadband Contract and Micro Trenching Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: Consider whether to direct the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, to:
1. Negotiate a broadband franchise agreement with Aspire Broadband, LLC; and
2. Return with a first reading of a microtrenching ordinance to allow microtrenching in City rights-of-way.
Administrative Report - Aspire Broadband Contract and Micro Trenching Ord Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 12 as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Lang, Mang, Gilman, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
15. Fiscal Year-End Report and Carryover Requests
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive the preliminary Fiscal Year-End Report;
2. Authorize the carryover of appropriations for the Capital Improvement Program; and
3. Approve a transfer to the Cemetery Fund to address ongoing operating shortfalls.
Administrative Report - FY25 Carryovers Adjustments and Prelim Results Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 15 as recommended, authorizing and approving recommendations 2 and 3.
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
16. City of Ojai Color Palette and Logo Selection
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the teal & lemon color palette and logo option 1A from the proposed City of Ojai iterations.
Administrative Report - Logo Selection
Attachment A - Style Guide
Council provided feedback for Mayor Gilman and Mayor Pro Tem Lang.
COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Lang provided a report on attending the League of California Cities annual conference in their elected capacity.
Council Member Whitman provided a report on attending the League of California Cities annual conference in their elected capacity.
Council Member Rule provided a report on attending an animal right conference in their elected capacity.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Rule and Mayor Gilman requested the return of a discussion item regarding a Fourth of July “drone” show.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the October 14, 2025, Regular Meeting at 9:25 p.m., until the October 28, 2025, Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Prepared by: Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk