MINUTE
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 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 December 2, 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, 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 December 2, 2025, Special Meeting.
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor, with five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Gilman, Lang, Rule, Whitman, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
COMMISSION REPORTS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Harvey and Staff 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. Minutes of the City Council
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
Minutes - 11-18-25 Special Meeting
Minutes - 10-07-25 Special Meeting
Minutes - 09-30-25 Special Meeting
Minutes - 09-16-25 Special Meeting
Minutes - 08-12-25 Regular Meeting
Minutes - 06 17 25 Special Meeting
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 1 of the Consent Calendar.
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor, with five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Gilman, Lang, Rule, Whitman, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
2. DISCUSSION
2.A. Appointment of New City Attorney and Approval of Legal Services Agreement with Aleshire & Wynder, LLP
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Aleshire & Wynder, LLP for legal services and appoint Bethany A.
Burgess, Esq. as the City Attorney.
Administrative Report - Legal Services Agreement Aleshire & Wynder Attachment A - Legal Services Agreement
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Rule, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 2.A, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Lang, Mang, Gilman, Rule
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
2.B. Approval of Fifth Amendment to Legal Services Agreement with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the Fifth Amendment to Legal Services Agreement with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC, transitioning the firm’s role from City Attorney to Outside Counsel.
Administrative Report - Legal Services Agreement
Colantuono Attachment A - Fifth Amendment Legal
Services Agreement
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Rule, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 2.A, as recommended, and direct staff to return with a list of proposed items to be continued with the contract amendment.
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, Whitman, Gilman
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
DISCUSSION
3. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Memorandum of Understanding RE:
Development and Management of Tiny Homes at 408-410 N Montgomery Street RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Ojai and Habitat for Humanity regarding the development and management of tiny homes at 408–410 N. Montgomery Street.
Administrative Report - Amendment No 1 to MOU - Habitat for Humanity Attachment A - Prior Administrative Report Amendment No 1 to MOU with Habitat for Humanity Attachment B - Habitat for Humanity Ventura County Inc. - MOU Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Whitman, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to amend the recommended MOU to: (1) extend the agreement an additional 180 days; (2) authorize legal counsel to work with Habitat for Humanity; (3) direct staff to return with a future agenda item in 150 days for discussion on facilitating and/or accelerating the project; and (4) request legal analysis on a future vacancy/alternative housing tax and building fund.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Rule, Mang, Gilman, Whitman, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
4. Community Development Department Contracted Position | Project Compliance Coordinator
RECOMMENDATION: Review the information presented, ask clarifying questions, and consider accepting the project compliance coordinator position as a contract planning technician position ensuring future, current, and recently approved projects are in compliance with their conditions of approval and authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement to address this contracted position
(Attachment B).
Administrative Report - Compliance Coordinator
Attachment A - Willdan Proposal
Attachment B - Willdan Agreement
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 4, as recommended, and direct staff to develop position materials, and salary schedule update for a future City recruitment.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Mang, Rule, Gilman, Lang, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
5. Concept Review: Proposed Climate Resilience and Fire Preparedness Education Partnership with Nordhoff High School
RECOMMENDATION: Review and consider a potential education partnership between the City of Ojai and the Nordhoff High School Agriculture Science Program for climate reliance and fire preparedness. Should City Council consensus exist:
1. Appoint two City Council Members to serve on an Ad Hoc Committee for partnership governance;
2. Provide direction on the desired City funding level to guide negotiations; and
3. Direct staff to negotiate a draft Professional Services Agreement with Ojai Unified School District and return to City Council for final review and approval prior to execution.
Administrative Report - Concept Review Nordhoff Proposal and Ad-Hoc Creation Attachment A - Fire Preparedness and Climate Resilience Education Partnership Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Council Member Rule, to direct staff to develop a professional services agreement for Council review, directing staff to work with Ojai Unified School District to develop a scope of work, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Rule, Mang, Gilman, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: Whitman
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
6. Accept Proposal from Consultant Historic Resources Group (HRG) to conduct the Historic Resource Inventory Survey Update
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Historic Resources Group, LLC to update the Historic Resources
Inventory in an amount not to exceed $88,050.
Administrative Report - Selection of Historian for HPC Survey Update Attachment A-Historic Resources Group (HRG) Proposal - dated Aug. 8, 2025
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Council Member Whitman, to approve Item 6, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Lang, Rule, Gilman, Mang, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
7. Ratification of 2025 City of Ojai Annual Historic Preservation Award Nominees and Lifetime Achievement Nominees
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council ratify the Historic Preservation Commission’s recommendation (Attachment A) to recognize recipients of:
1. The City of Ojai Annual Historic Preservation Awards for 2025 to:
a. Stephen Adams, Photographer;
b. Ojai Playhouse Theater owner, David Berger and team, Robert Kupiec, Architect, and Kerry Miller, Contractor; and
2. The 2025 Historic Preservation Lifetime Achievement Award to The Gables of Ojai owners, The Parsons Family, Robert, Alyce, and Janelle Parsons, and copartner David Brown.
Administrative Report - HPC Preservation Awards
Attachment A - Adopted HPC Resolution No. 25-08
Attachment B - Recipient List
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Council Member Whitman, to approve Item 7, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Mang, Rule, Lang, Gilman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the December 2, 2025, Special Meeting at 8:15 p.m., until the December 9, 2025, Special Meeting.
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
Written Public Comments - December 2 Special Meeting
Prepared by: Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk