F R
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026, 4:00 PM
KENT HALL - CITY HALL CAMPUS - 111 W SANTA ANA ST, OJAI, CA Mayor Gilman called the Special Joint Meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
The following members were present: Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Mang, and Council Members Rule, Lang, and Whitman; Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Chair McHatton, Vice Chair Sims, Commissioners Walker, Aikens, Bisaccia, and Niessen Also present: City Manager Harvey, City Attorney Burgess, Assistant to the City Manager Cervantes, Community Development Director Seibert, Principal Planner Macaluso, and Acting Deputy City Clerk Mara
Absent: Historic Preservation Commissioner Moore.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Acting Deputy City Clerk Mara led the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION ITEM
1. Joint Meeting with City Council and Historic Preservation Commission (City Council Direction)
Chair McHatton requested to have an HPC popup booth at any City event, through the Mayor this is agreed upon by all Council.
Chair McHatton requested a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss design guidelines. Director Seibert stated he would bring this to the Planning Commission.
Chair McHatton suggested a welcome basket for any new business in the Arcade or any other historic district location, so the new business understands the city codes regarding the historic district. Council Member Rule recommended a legal review before moving forward.
Joint Special Meeting Minutes - February 24, 2026 Page 1 of 2 HPC will be bringing forward awards to recognize organizations, people or locations that honor the historic values in the City of Ojai.
Chair McHatton requested that when the Historic Resources Group (HRG) comes to Council that they are given priority by staff and Council. Mayor Gilman requested the HPC to remind Council of the priority when it comes to Council.
Chair McHatton requested the Historic Resource Reports (HRR) fees be reduced or removed and add it back into the City Budget. Mayor and Council agreed to consider and asked to bring it back to the Council for consideration with a dollar amount to consider for next year's budget.
Chair McHatton requested to have the HPC/CC Ad Hoc meeting continue to December 31, 2026, with meeting at the three and six month spots with hopefully being done by June 30, 2026, and continue to have Mayor Gilman attend the meetings. Council Member Rule requested the City Attorney clarify how long an Ad Hoc can meet. City Attorney Burgess stated it can be extended another six (6) months without being considered a permanent committee with a clearly defined stop date.
HPC requested to add signage giving historical information on the Ojai Railroad with 20- 25 signs that would be placed along the Ojai Bike Trail and would run down from Ojai to Foster Park; the County of Ventura is interested in collaborating with this project.
HPC requested approval from Council to move forward with the signage project. Council has already approved the seed money for the first four signs. HPC will continue to reach out to get sponsors to get money to move forward with the remaining signs. Mayor Gilman requested staff to move forward. City Manager Harvey asked HPC to bring the first four signs back when they are final for review. Public Works will assist HPC in getting the encroachment permits from the County.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the meeting at 5:23 p.m
Bridget Mara, Acting Deputy City Clerk
Approved: March 10, 2026
Joint Special Meeting Minutes - February 24, 2026 Page 2 of 2