Special Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2026 Page 1 of 2
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026, 5:00 PM
KENT HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL CAMPUS - 111 W SANTA ANA ST, OJAI, CA Mayor Gilman called the meeting to order at 5:00 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, Chief Deputy City Clerk Montgomery, and Special Outside Counsel.
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.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Appeal Hearing to Uphold or Overturn the Tax Collector’s Determination dated April 8, 2025 Enforcing Assessed Transient Occupancy Tax (“TOT”) and Penalties from Audit Findings (January 1, 2021 – March 31, 2024) against Cameron Larner business owner of Su Nido Inn, managed by B&W Inns LLC (“Appellant”) (Legal Requirement)
Mayor Gilman and City Attorney Burgess conducted the Public Hearing.
Mayor and Council Members disclosed ex parte communications.
Special Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2026 Page 2 of 2
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Whitman, to affirm the findings and uphold the Tax Collector’s April 8, 2025 hearing determination (“Hearing Determination”) that the audit findings concerning the Transient Occupancy Tax (“TOT”) for the period of January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024, less fees and penalties, should be assessed against the Appellant.
The motion carried 4-1 (Council Member Rule dissenting).
2. Appeal Hearing to Uphold or Overturn the Tax Collector’s Determination dated April 8, 2025 Enforcing Assessed Transient Occupancy Tax (“TOT”) and Penalties from Audit Findings (June 30, 2020 – March 31, 2023) Against Cameron Larner, business owner of Casa Ojai Inn, managed by B&W Inns LLC (“Appellant”) (Legal Requirement)
Mayor Gilman and City Attorney Burgess conducted the Public Hearing.
Mayor and Council Members disclosed ex parte communications.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Whitman, to affirm the findings and uphold the Tax Collector’s April 8, 2025 hearing determination (“Hearing Determination”) that the audit findings concerning the Transient Occupancy Tax (“TOT”) for the period of June 30, 2020 to March 31, 2023, less fees and penalties, should be assessed against the Appellant.
The motion carried 4-1 (Council Member Rule dissenting).
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
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Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Approved: