R
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026, 6:00 PM
KENT HALL - CITY HALL CAMPUS - 111 W SANTA ANA ST, OJAI, CA Mayor Gilman called the meeting to order at 6:00 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, Assistant to the City Manager Cervantes, Recreation Manager Rivera, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Montgomery.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chief Deputy City Clerk Montgomery led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve the agenda.
The motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Interface 211 Ventura County
COMMISSION REPORTS
None
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Harvey provided an oral report.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
The Council received comments from the public.
Regular Meeting Minutes - April 28, 2026 Page 1 of 4
CONSENT CALENDAR
City of Ojai Warrants for March 30, 2026 - April 12, 2026 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
3. Treasurer's Monthly Report of Cash and Investments for the City of Ojai as of March 31, 2026
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
4. Minutes - City Council
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
5. Minutes - Planning Commission
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
6. Authorize the County of Ventura to Collect a Special Library Tax for the Fiscal Year 2026-27
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution authorizing the County of Ventura to collect on behalf of the City the Special Library Tax according to Ordinance 713 with
Tax Revenues to be used for Supplemental Library Services for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Thirtieth Amendment to the Agreement for Additional Library Services Purchased with Library Parcel Tax Money
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Thirtieth Amendment to the Agreement for the County of Ventura to provide additional library services to the City of Ojai for the period commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, and authorize the Mayor to execute this agreement on behalf of the City.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, seconded by Council Member Whitman, to approve the Consent Calendar.
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Appeal of Decision Granting Permit for Facility Use to Ojai Valley Pickleball, Inc. (Legal Requirement)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Consider information presented by the City Attorney and City staff, the appellant, and the applicant.
2. Either: (a) grant the appeal and deny the facility use permit or (b) deny the appeal and grant the facility use permit. If the permit is granted, City Council may approve the permit as issued or impose additional conditions on the approval of the permit.
Regular Meeting Minutes - April 28, 2026 Page 2 of 4
3. Provide alternate direction to City staff.
Mayor Gilman and City Attorney Burgess conducted the hearing.
City Council members provided ex parte disclosures.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Lang, to: (1) approve the appeal in part and deny in part, in order to facilitate a compromise; (2) allow use of the Lower Libbey courts on the final day of the tournament only; and (3) direct staff to relocate the tournament to alternative locations for the first two days of the tournament.
The motion carried 4-0-1 (Council Member Rule abstaining).
PUBLIC HEARING
9. Consideration of the City's Ability to Shift to At-Large Voting (City Council Direction)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Consider information regarding the ability to shift from electing City Council Members "by-district" to an "at-large" method of selection.
2. Direct the City Attorney's Office to retain a consultant to conduct a demographic evaluation to be completed prior to the May 12, 2026, City Council meeting.
3. Provide direction to the City Attorney's Office as to whether to return to City Council with an ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 889 or an ordinance submitting a ballot question to the voters seeking voter approval to return to at-large elections.
4. Provide alternate direction to the City Attorney.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Rule, to direct the City Attorney's Office to retain a consultant to conduct a demographic evaluation to be completed prior to the May 12, 2026, City Council meeting. The rest of the item was continued to the May 12, 2026, City Council meeting.
The motion carried 3-2 (Council Members Whitman and Mang dissenting).
Consider Change in Council Protocols from Quarterly Rotation to Annual Rotation for Representation by Council Members at City Commission Meetings (City Council Direction)
RECOMMENDATION: Provide assignments or direction, including amendment in Council Protocols, from quarterly rotation to annual rotation for representation by Council Members at City Commission Meetings.
Item 10 was continued to a future meeting.
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10. Quarterly Update on City Council Goals & Tactics (City Council Direction) RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Item 10 was continued to a future meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m.
Weston Viontgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Approved:
CRY ORONA
INCORPORATED
TURIST 5, 1924
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