MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026, 1:00 PM
KENT HALL - CITY HALL CAMPUS - 111 W SANTA ANA ST, OJAI, CA Mayor Gilman called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
The following members were present: Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Mang, and Council Members Rule, Lang, and Whitman.
Also present: City Manager Harvey, City Attorney Burgess, Community Development Director Seibert, and Acting Clerk Garcia.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gilman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Council approved the agenda.
CLOSED SESSION
Council Member Rule recused herself from attendance at the Closed Session. The City Council, excluding Council Member Rule, recessed into Closed Session to discuss the following matter:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Gov. Code § 54956.9)
Name of case: Leslie Rule v. City of Ojai, Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2025CUPT055697
The City Council reconvened from Closed Session.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burgess reported there was no reportable action taken in Closed Session.
Special Meeting Minutes - April 16, 2026 Page 1 of 2
PUBLIC HEARING - Continued from March 24, 2026
2. Design Review Permit (DRP 24-007) and Tentative Tract Map (TTM 25-002) | Consider Approving the Proposed Five-Unit Single-Story Deed-Restricted 100% Affordable Housing Project Located at 408-410 North Montgomery Street; Assessor's Parcel Number: 021-0 -092-010; Zoning Classification is Multi-Family Residential (R- 2) - Site No. 23 of the Housing Element; General Plan Land Use Designation is Medium High-Density Residential (MHR) and includes a Special Housing Overlay designation (SPL overlay); Property Owner: City of Ojai; Applicant: Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County; Representative: Linda Blackbern, RRM Design Group (City Council Direction)
Mayor Gilman opened the public hearing, accepted public comments, and closed the pubic hearing.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Rule, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to sell the considered property for $1.00, approve the item as recommended, and pursue a traffic and land trust analysis.
No Council action taken
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Whitman, seconded by Council Member Lang, to: (1) delay/continue City Council decision regarding transferring land for two weeks, tor teedback from the City Attorney; (2) grant the entitlements and approve the recommended resolution; (3) obtain an appraisal for the land; and (4) return in two weeks or at the May 12 City Council Regular Meeting for discussion.
The motion carried 3-2 (Rule and Gilman dissenting).
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
WAMA /
Vontgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Approved:
OTTORONT
CORPORAED
SMUST 5, 195
Special Meeting Minutes - April 16, 2026 Page 2 of 2