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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026, 6:00 PM
KENT HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL CAMPUS - 111 W SANTA ANA ST, OJAI, CA Mayor Pro Gilman called the Regular Meeting of the Ojai City Council to order on January 27, 2026, 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, and Mang. Council Member Whitman arrived late, after roll call.
Also present in the Kent Hall Council Chambers: City Manager Harvey, City Attorney Burgess, Assistant to the City Manager Cervantes, and 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 January 27, 2026, Regular Meeting, and to adjourn into the noticed Closed Session at 8:30 PM.
Council Action:
Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor.
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 Regular Meeting Minutes - January 27, 2026 Page 1 of 7
on the motion to adopt, specific items are removed from the Consent Calendar for separate motions.
1. City of Ojai Warrants for December 1, 2025 - January 11, 2026 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Administrative Report - Warrant Report
Attachment A - Warrant Report Register
Attachment B - Disbursement by Category
Warrant Cover Letter
2. Treasurer's Monthly Report of Cash and Investments for the City of Ojai as of December 31, 2025
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Administrative Report -Treasurers Report Dec 2025
Attachment A -Treasurer's Report Dec 2025
Exhibit A - Cash & Investment Summary Dec 2025
3. Minutes of the City Council
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
Minutes - 01-13-26 Regular Meeting
4. Adoption of Ordinance No. 970 Adopting Proposed 2025 Citywide Engineering and Traffic Survey and Retaining, Establishing, or Decreasing Posted Speed Limits on Certain Streets
RECOMMENDATION: Conduct second reading, waiving the reading of the full text, and adopt Ordinance No. 970 adopting the 2025 Citywide Engineering and Traffic Survey and retaining, establishing and decreasing posted speed limits on certain streets within the City of Ojai, by reading of the title as stated below.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OJAI, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE 2025 CITYWIDE ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY AND
RETAINING, ESTABLISHING, OR DECREASING POSTED SPEED LIMITS ON
CERTAIN STREETS
Administrative Report - Ordinance No. 970 - Setting Speed Limits Attachment A - Citywide Traffic Survey - LSY Engineering Attachment B - Ordinance No. 970
5. 2025 Downtown and Arcade Parking Lots, Project No. ST-3031 - Resolution Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Filing of a Notice of Completion RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt a resolution accepting improvements and authorizing the Mayor to sign the Notice of Completion for the 2025 Downtown and Arcade Parking Lots, Project No. ST-3031.
Administrative Report - Downtown and Arcade Paving Completion Attachment B - Notice of Completion
Attachment A - Notice of Completion Resolution
6. Confirm Appointment to Vacancy on the Arts Commission RECOMMENDATION: Confirm nomination of applicant Bradley Tabach-Bank as Arts Commissioner to fill a new vacancy on the Arts Commission.
Administrative Report - Arts Commissioner Ratification
Attachment A - Commission Application, B. Tabach-Bank
Council Member Mang pulled Item 1 for discussion.
Regular Meeting Minutes - January 27, 2026 Page 2 of 7
Mayor Pro Tem Lang pulled Item 4 for discussion.
Council Member Whitman pulled Item 6 for discussion.
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve the Consent Calendar, except pulled Items 1, 4, and 6.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Lang, Rule, Whitman, Gilman, Mang
Abstain:
Absent:
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Mang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 1, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Mang, Rule, Whitman, Lang, Gilman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Council Member Whitman, to approve Item 4, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Gilman, Rule, Mang, Lang, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Rule, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 6, as recommended, and adjusting the term to end in May of 2029.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Gilman, Lang, Rule, Whitman, Mang
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
PUBLIC HEARING
Regular Meeting Minutes - January 27, 2026 Page 3 of 7
7. Consideration of Resolution Approving Agreement to Extend Timeline to Complete Surplus Property Disposal with Ojai Bungalows LP (City Council Direction)
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a resolution (Attachment A) approving the Agreement to Extend Timeline to Complete Surplus Property Disposal with Ojai Bungalows LP and authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement.
Administrative Report - Ojai Bungalows LP
Attachment A - Proposed Resolution
Attachment B - Settlement Agreement FAQ
Attachment C - Settlement Agreement
Mayor Gilman opened the Public Hearing, accepted public comment, and closed the Public Hearing.
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Council Member Rule, to approve Item 7, as recommended, approving the resolution.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Whitman, Rule, Lang, Mang, Gilman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
DISCUSSION
8. City Council Meeting Schedule - 2026 (Operational Need) RECOMMENDATION: Approve the 2026 Meeting Schedule.
Administrative Report - City Council Meeting Schedule 2026 Attachment A - 2026 Meeting Schedule
It was moved by Council Member Whitman, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 8, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor and zero (0) against.
Ayes: Mang, Gilman, Lang, Rule, Whitman
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
9. Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem (Operational Need)
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a Resolution appointing the Mayor Pro Tem for a one- year term.
Administrative Report - Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem
Attachment A - Resolution No. 2026-XX
Council Member Whitman nominated Council Member Mang, with a second by Council Member Mang, to serve as 2026 Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Gilman made a substitute nomination to nominate Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Council Member Rule, to serve as 2026 Mayor Pro Tem.
Regular Meeting Minutes - January 27, 2026 Page 4 of 7
Mayor Pro Tem Lang declined the nomination.
Council Member Whitman nominated Council Member Mang, with a second by Council Member Mang, to serve as 2026 Mayor Pro Tem.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll for the original nomination, the vote was three (3) in favor, one (1) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Whitman, Gilman, Lang
Noes: Rule
Abstain: Mang
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
10. Appointment of Representatives to Local and Regional Boards and a City Committee (Operational Need)
RECOMMENDATION: Review current assignments and appoint representatives to serve on local and regional boards, and a City Committee.
Administrative Report - Local and Regional Appointments - 2026 Attachment A - Council Member Local and Regional Assignments - 2025 Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 10, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was five (5) in favor, zero (0) against, and one (1) abstain.
Ayes: Whitman, Mang, Gilman, Lang
Noes: None
Abstain: Rule
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
11. Agreement with Kiley & Associates, LLC for Federal Advocacy and Funding Support (Requested by Mayor Gilman and Mayor Pro Tem Lang) RECOMMENDATION: Engage Kiley & Associates, LLC, for federal advocacy and funding support to maximize the City of Ojai's access to federal resources and advance City Council approved priorities and authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year agreement with Kiley & Associates, LLC, for an amount not-to-exceed $36,000 under the proposed terms in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Administrative Report - Federal Lobbyist
Attachment A - Proposal, Kiley & Associates
Attachment B - FY26 California CPF Results
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Gilman, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, to approve Item 11, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was three (3) in favor and two (2) against.
Ayes: Lang, Gilman, Rule
Noes: Mang, Whitman
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Regular Meeting Minutes - January 27, 2026 Page 5 of 7
MOTION PASSES
12. Proposal for Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) - HdL ECONSolutions (City Council Direction)
RECOMMENDATION: Review and approve the proposal submitted by HdL ECONSolutions to develop a comprehensive Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) for the City of Ojai (City), and authorize the City Manager to execute a three- year agreement with HaL ECONSolutions for an amount not-to-exceed $52,000 based on the proposal in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Administrative Report - Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) Attachment A - Proposal, HDL Companies
Motion:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lang, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 12, as recommended, and to add the term "Management" to the title.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor and one (1) against.
Ayes: Lang, Rule, Gilman, Whitman
Noes: Mang
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
13. Professional Services Agreement with Municipal Resource Group, LLC (Operational Need)
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to Professional Services Agreement with Municipal Resource Group, LLC ("MRG") to extend the contract term through December 31, 2026.
Administrative Report - Municipal Resource Group
Attachment A - Original Agreement - MRG
Attachment B - Amendment 1 - MRG
Attachment C - Amendment 2 - MRG
Motion:
It was moved by Council Member Rule, with a second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 13, as recommended.
Roll Call:
On the call of the roll, the vote was four (4) in favor and one (1) against.
Rule, Gilman, Lang, Whitman
Noes: Mang
Abstain: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSES
CLOSED SESSION
14. Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Government Code Section 54956.8) pertaining to one property:
Property: 414 E. Ojai Avenue and 450 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, California Regular Meeting Minutes - January 27, 2026 Page 6 of 7
Agency Negotiators: Mayor Gilman, Council Member Whitman, City Manager Ben Harvey, City Attorney Bethany Burgess, and Community Development Director Lucas Seibert
Negotiating Party: Ojai Unified School District
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
15. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) or (3) and (e)(1) in one (1) case and a point has been reached where, in the opinion of the legislative body of the local agency on the advice of its legal counsel, based on • existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the local agency, and such facts and circumstances are not yet known to a potential plaintiff or plaintiffs.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burgess reported out of Closed Session, reporting on Item 14 that the City Council provided direction to staff on the noticed addresses and directed staff to notice a closed session to finalize negotiating terms. City Attorney Burgess concluded by reporting that no Council action was taken on the second Closed Session item (Item 15).
COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Gilman requested a City attorney analysis of ICE related due process infringement involving Oxnard and Santa Paula, with possibility to enter suit with amicus brief and to register grief.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the January 27, 2026, Regular Meeting at 10:30 p.m., until the February 10, 2026, Regular Meeting.
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
Please access through the link:
Written Public Comments - January 27 Regular Meeting
a, Acting Deputy City Clerk
Approved: February 10, 2026
Regular Meeting Minutes - January 27, 2026 Page 7 of 7