MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025, 5:00 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 Special Meeting of the Ojai City Council to order on November 18, 2025, at 5:05 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 Member Mang.
A clerical error on the cover page on the printed agenda binders caused Council Members Whitman and Rule to arrive, after the initial roll call.
Council Member Rule was present remotely for “just cause” circumstances per California Government Code § 54953(j)(2)(B).
Also present in the Kent Hall Chambers: City Manager Harvey, Assistant City Attorney Anderson, Assistant to the City Manager Cervantes, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Montgomery.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chief Deputy City Clerk Montgomery led the Pledge.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve the Agenda of the November 18, 2025, Special Meeting.
Council Action:
Consent reached through the Mayor, with three (3) in favor and two (2) absent.
Ayes: Gilman, Lang, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Rule, Whitman
MOTION PASSES
PRESENTATION
1. The City provided an update on a partnership with Agromin, providing soil and compost to community members.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Harvey and City staff provide oral reports.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Treasurer's Monthly Report of Cash and Investments for the City of Ojai as of September 30, 2025
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Administrative Report - Treasurer's Monthly Report Sep
2025 Attachment A -Treasurer's Monthly Report Sep
2025 Exhibit A - Cash & Investment Summary Sep 2025
3. City of Ojai Warrants for October 20, 2025 – November 02, 2025 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Administrative Report - Warrant Report
Warrant Report Register
Warrant Cover Letter
4. Minutes of the City Council
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
Minutes - 11-04-25 Special Meeting
Minutes - 10-28-25 Regular Meeting
Minutes - 10-21-25 Special Meeting
Minutes - 10-14-25 Special Meeting
Minutes - 10-14-25 Regular Meeting
Minutes - 07-29-25 Special Meeting
5. Authorize the Issuance of a Purchase Order to National Auto Fleet Group for the Purchase of One Chevrolet Silverado Electric Vehicle RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order to National Auto Fleet Group in an amount not-to-exceed $56,185.74
for one (1) 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV.
Administrative Report - Purchase of Chevy EV
Attachment A - Sourcewell Quote
Attachment B - National Auto Fleet Contract
Attachment C - National Auto Fleet Contract Extension
6. Ratify City Manager Approval Change Order for the
Downtown and Arcade Parking Lot Project (ST-3031) Due to Unforeseen Circumstances RECOMMENDATION:
1. Ratify the City Manager’s approval of Contract Change Order #1 (CCO) in the amount of $73,257 for the Arcade Parking Lot Paving Project to address unforeseen conditions encountered during construction.
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve additional change orders for a not-toexceed amount of $25,000.
Administrative Report - Authorize Change Order for Parking Lot Project Attachment A - Change Order
7. Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Secural Security Corporation for Security Guard Services
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Secural Security Corporation to extend security services at Ojai Tent Town through June 30, 2026;
2. Authorize the City Manager to ratify expenditures incurred for continued services between March 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025; and
3. Approve a budget appropriation for Fiscal Year 25-26 to cover costs through the extended contract term.
Administrative Report - Secural Securities Corporation
Amendment Attachment A - Secural Security Corp -
Amendment No 1 Attachment B - Secural Security Corp -
Amendment No 2 Attachment C - Secural Security Corp -
Original Agreement
Mayor Pro Tem Lang pulled Item 7 for discussion.
Council Member Mang pulled Items 5 and 7 for discussion.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Items 2, 3, 4, and 6 of the Consent Calendar.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was three (3) in favor and two (2) absent.
Ayes: Mang, Lang, Gilman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Rule, Whitman
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Items 5 and 7 of the Consent Calendar.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was three (3) in favor and two (2) absent.
Ayes: Gilman, Lang, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Rule, Whitman
MOTION PASSES
DISCUSSION
8. Concept Review – Community Aquatics Program
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss and determine whether City Council consensus exists to provide staff direction for one, some, or none of the following options related to the concept of community pool and aquatics programming in Ojai:
1. Explore the possibility of creating a City-run community aquatics program at the Nordhoff High School Pool (with consent from the Ojai Unified School District (OUSD));
2. Provide $10,000 in seed money to Lane 4 Fundraising to explore and present a proposed concept for a community-run aquatics program at Nordhoff (with consent from OUSD);
3. Explore the possibility of establishing an Ojai Valley-wide special recreation district that would include operating a community aquatics program at Nordhoff High School Pool (with consent from OUSD, and assuming required voter approval was obtained via a future ballot measure);
4. Explore the concept of a community splash pad as part of the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) at Sarzotti Park, Soule Park (with consent from Ventura County) or Nordhoff High School (with consent from OUSD); or
5. Initiate a capital campaign to construct a community pool at Soule Park (with consent from Ventura County).
AdministrativeReport - Concept Review Aquatics
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Council Member Whitman, to: (1) approve Item 8 Recommendations 1, 2, and 4; (2) continue Item 8 Recommendations 3 and 5 for future discussion; (3) involve the Parks and Recreation Commission in discussions and advisory role; and (4) create an ad hoc committee, assigning Mayor Gilman and Council Member Whitman, for discussions with the Ojai Unified School District regarding the pool and aquatics programming.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor and one (1) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Mang, Lang, Gilman
Noes: Rule
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
9. Ojai Unified School District Request for $250,000 Pledge for Career Technical Education Facilities Program Grant Match for the Modernization of Matilija Auditorium
RECOMMENDATION: Review and consider the Ojai Unified School District’s request for a $250,000 pledge from the City of Ojai to support a Career Technical Education Facilities Program grant match for the modernization of Matilija Auditorium, and if City Council consensus exists, direct the City Manager to commit on behalf of the City of Ojai.
Administrative Report - OUSD Grant Request, Matilia Auditorium Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to pledge $125,000, contingent upon an agreement which: (1) ensures community use of the auditorium; (2) contains a workplan; and (3) contains a clause that the pledge is no longer valid if the grant if not obtained.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was three (3) in favor and two (2) against.
Ayes: Rule, Gilman, Lang
Noes: Whitman, Mang
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
10. (ERRATA UPDATE TO ATTACHMENT C) Receive and File Speed Survey Report and Authorize an Appropriation for the Speed Survey Proposal Provided by Phoenix Civil Engineering
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive and file this informational report providing an update on the status of the Citywide Speed Survey; and
2. Authorize an appropriation for task orders in the amount of $52,000 from unprogrammed General Fund balance.
Administrative Report - Authorize Appropriation for Speed Survey Attachment A - Task Order for Phoenix $10K
Attachment B - Task Order for Phoenix $40K
Attachment C - Engineering and Traffic Survey Report with Appendices Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve the task orders in Item 10 Recommendation 2, direct staff to develop a Capital Improvement Plan to incorporate feasibility study for designated streets and potential walking paths, and affirmatively change the speed limit on Cuyama Road to 20 MPH.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Gilman, Whitman, Mang, Rule, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Council Member rule departed the meeting at 9:09 PM
11. Climate Related Expenditures Report and Progress Report on Citywide Facilities Electrification Program with Climatec
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive and file a report on climaterelated expenditures to date and receive a progress update on the Citywide Facilities
Electrification Program being developed in partnership with Climatec.
Administrative Report - Climate Expenditure Report and Project Update Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to move forward with the received workplan expeditiously.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor and one (1) absent.
Ayes: Lang, Whitman, Mang, Gilman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Rule
MOTION PASSES
12. 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
$52,200 .
Administrative Report - Council Chamber Dais
Attachment A - Estimate 5177 from ErgonomicHome.com Inc.
Attachment B - Layout of New Council Dais
Attachemnt C - Example Photos of Dais and Features
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 and one (1) absent.
Ayes: Whitman, Lang, Gilman, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Rule
MOTION PASSES
13. Discuss Cancellation of January 13, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting RECOMMENDATION: Discuss whether to cancel the regular meeting scheduled for January 13, 2026 as it relates to the current winter recess and Mayor and Council
Member scheduling.
Administrative Report - Council Schedule, January 13, 2026 Cancellation Attachment A - Resolution of Meeting Cancellation No action. Staff direction received, to continue to hold the January 13, 2026 Regular Meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Gilman and Council Member Whitman requested a discussion item to assign two Council Members to serve on the County’s Ojai Valley Municipal Advisory Committee for discussion related to traffic, to be placed on a December agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the November 18, 2025, Special Meeting at 9:50 p.m., until the December 2, 2025, Special Meeting.
Prepared by: Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk