MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 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 28, 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: Acting City Manager and Community Development Director Seibert, 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 Gilman with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang , to approve the Agenda of the October 28, 2025, 2025, Regular Meeting, and to reorder Item 6 to occur after Item 2 in the agenda order.
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor, with five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
PRESENTATIONS
1. The Ojai Valley Green Coalition to provided an update on the City Hall Campus clean up progress.
2. The City provided an introduced the new Finance Director.
COMMISSION REPORTS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Acting City Manager Seibert 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.
3. City of Ojai Warrants for October 13, 2025 & October 19, 2025 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Administrative Report - Warrant Report
Attachment A - Warrant Report Register
Attachment B - Warrant Cover Letter
4. Minutes of the City Council
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
Minutes - 09-09-25 Ojai City Council and Arts Commission Minutes - 09-09-25 Regular Meeting
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve the Consent Calendar of the October 28, 2025, Regular Meeting.
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
DISCUSSION
5. Help of Ojai Rental Assistance Program
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement on behalf of the City with Help of Ojai to fund the Homeless Prevention and Rapid ReHousing Rental Assistance Programs for a one-year term for $100,000.
Administrative Report - Help of Ojai Rental Assistance
Attachment A - Help of Ojai Rental Assistance Qualifications and Application Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 3 as recommended, including that Help of Ojai provide monthly reporting Council in both anecdotal and data format.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Rule, Gilman, Mang, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
6. FIRST READING | Adoption of the 2025 California Building Codes RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council introduce Ordinance No. 25-__ to adopt 2025 California Building Codes with amendments to Chapter 15.08 of the Municipal Code.
Administrative Report - Building Code Update
Attachment A - Building Standards Commission Bulletin 25-02 Attachment B - Building Code Update Ordinance
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve as recommended, introducing the ordinance with minor clerical correction, and to produce informational material for the public on the Community Development Department’s webpage.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Lang, Gilman, Whitman, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
7. CITY-WIDE | The Adoption of a Resolution Ratifying the Implementation of Article 3, Section 903, Article 3, Appendix B, and Article 4, Section 604.11 of the Ventura County Fire Protection District Ordinance No. 34 to be Effective within the City.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
A. Receive the report, accept public testimony and close the public comment period;
B. Consider adopting the resolution, which allows the Ventura County Fire Protection District to enforce certain building standards within the City of Ojai (Attachment A); and
C. Authorize the Building Official and/or Community Development Director to file a copy of the findings of the Ventura County Fire Protection District together with a copy of Article 3, Section 903; Article 3, Appendix B, and Article 4, Section 604.11 of Ordinance 34 to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and California Building Standards Commission.
Administrative Report - Fire Code District
Attachment A - Resolution Ratifying Ordinance No. 34
Exhibit 1 - Ordinance No. 32 Ratification Sections
Exhibit 2 - Ordinance 34
Attachment B - Excerpts of VCFPD Ordinance No. 34
Exhibit 3 - Analysis of Amendments for Ordinance 34
Exhibit 4 - Summary of Changes Between Ordinance 32 and Ordinance 34 Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 7 as recommended, adopting the resolution and authorizing the recommendation of 7.C.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Mang, Gilman, Rule, Lang, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the October 28, 2025, Regular Meeting at 8:00 p.m., until the November 18, 2025, Special Meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Prepared by: Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk