MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025, 4:45 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 Special Meeting of the Ojai City Council to order on October 14, 2025, at 4:45 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 approve the Agenda of the October 14, 2025, Special Meeting.
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, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
CLOSED SESSION
Liability Claims (Gov. Code § 54956.95)
Claims Against City: Leslie Rule
Date of Claims: 5/3/23, 12/01/23, 6/20/25, 8/6/25
Conference with Legal Counsel; Anticipated
Litigation (Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(3)
A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the City Council on the advice of its legal counsel, based on the below-described existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the City. Receipt of Claim pursuant to Tort Claims Act or other written communication threatening litigation.
Number of Potential Cases: 1
Name of Person Threatening Litigation: Leslie Rule
Date of Claims: 5/3/23, 12/01/23, 6/20/25, 8/6/25
Public Employment (Gov. Code § 54957)
City Attorney
Conference with Real Property Negotiator (Gov. Code § 54956.8) Property Address: 503 South Ventura Street, Ojai, CA
Agency Negotiator: Ben Harvey, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: Ronald McCrea TR
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
Mayor adjourned into Closed Session at 4:55 PM.
City Manager Harvey reported out of Closed Session that the City Council provided direction to staff on Items 1 and 3 and that there would be near-term open discussions scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the October 14, 2025, Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m., until the October 14, 2025, Regular Meeting immediately following.
Prepared by: Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk