MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026, 6:00 PM
KENT HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 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, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Montgomery.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chief Deputy City Clerk Montgomery led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ACTION: Unanimous consent reached through the Mayor for the approval of the agenda, with Item 2 continued to a future meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Honoring Pride Month 2026 and Helen Allen
2. Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council to Provide a Quarterly Update Item 2 was continued to a future agenda.
COMMISSION REPORTS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Public Works Director Palmer provided an oral report on behalf of the City Manager regarding accessible sidewalk ramps.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public Communications is the time set aside during the meeting for members of the public to address the City Council on items of City business other than scheduled agenda items.
Matters raised at this time may be briefly discussed by the Council, and will generally be referred to staff and/or placed on a subsequent agenda. Under State law, other than for emergency items, no action can be taken.
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 on the motion to adopt, specific items are removed from the Consent Calendar for separate motions.
3. City of Ojai Warrants for May 11, 2026 - May 24, 2026 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
4. City Council Minutes
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
5. Appointment of Area Housing Authority Commissioner
RECOMMENDATION: Consider appointment of applicant on file to serve a fouryear term as the City of Ojai’s representative on the Ventura County Area Housing Authority Board.
6. Confirm Appointment to Fill Inaugural Vacancy on the Public Safety Commission
RECOMMENDATION: Confirm nomination of applicant Randy Coggan as Public Safety Commissioner to fill an inaugural vacancy (four-year term ending May 2030).
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mang, to approve Consent Item 3.
The motion carried unanimously.
Item 4 was pulled for corrections and to return on a future agenda. No action taken.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Lang, to approve Consent Item 5.
The motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve Consent Item 6.
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Report and Public Hearing on City of Ojai Job Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Government Code §3502.3 (Legal Requirement)
RECOMMENDATION: Receive a report and conduct a public hearing regarding the City of Ojai job vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts in compliance with Government Code §3502.3.
Mayor Gilman opened the Public Hearing, accepted public comment, and closed the Public Hearing. City Council received the report.
8. City of Ojai's Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 (Operational Need) RECOMMENDATION: Review the City of Ojai's Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and provide feedback. This item will be coming back to City Council at the June 23rd
meeting for adoption.
Mayor Gilman opened the Public Hearing, accepted public comment, and closed the Public Hearing. City Council received the report and provided feedback to staff to return for Budget Adoption.
9. Levy and Collection of Assessments for Landscaping and Lighting District No. 1, Plaza Maintenance Assessment District No. 2, and Landscaping and Lighting District No. 3 for FY 2026/2027 (City Council Direction) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing to receive public testimony relative to the established assessments for Landscaping and Lighting District No. 1, Plaza Maintenance Assessment District No. 2, and Landscaping and Lighting District No. 3 for Fiscal Year 2026/2027; and,
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-17, approving the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report, confirming the diagrams and assessments for Landscaping and Lighting District No. 1, Plaza Maintenance Assessment District No. 2, and Landscaping and Lighting District No. 3, and ordering the work and the levy of assessments for Fiscal Year 2026/2027; and,
3. Direct staff to transmit the necessary documents to the County of Ventura for the levying and collection of property assessments for said Districts.
Mayor Gilman opened the Public Hearing, accepted public comment, and closed the Public Hearing.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Rule, to approve Item 9, as recommended.
The motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION
10. Adoption of Resolutions Calling for and Giving Notice of the City of Ojai’s General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026; Requesting County of Ventura Consolidation with the Statewide General Election; and Adopting Regulations for Candidates Statements (Operational Need) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt the following resolutions:
a. A resolution calling and giving notice of the City of Ojai’s General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of certain officers as required by the State of California relating to General Law Cities; and
b. A resolution requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura to consolidate the General Municipal Election with the Statewide Gubernatorial General Election and to render specified services in relation to the conduct of the Ojai General Municipal Election; and
c. A resolution adopting regulation for candidates for elective office pertaining to candidate statements.
2. Direct the City Clerk to prepare all appropriate documents for election consolidation and submit to the County of Ventura by the required date of Monday, June 29, 2026.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Rule, to approve Item 10, as recommended.
The motion carried unanimously.
11. Consider Appeal of Planning Commission Denial | The outdoor storage and use of an existing walk-in freezer and proposed modifications to the existing outdoor dining area located to the rear of Ojai Mountain Farm restaurant, addressed 242 East Ojai Avenue (Design Review Permit [DRP 26-003] and Conditional Use Permit [CUP 26-003]). Assessor’s Parcel Number 021-0-140- 370. Representative: Patrick Housh, Paul Poirier + Associates Architects.
Property Owner: Verna Joy Adams; Applicant: Tony Yanow, Ojai Mountain Farm. (Requested by Mayor Gilman)
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council determine whether to appeal the Planning Commission’s May 20, 2026, decision to deny a design review permit and conditional use permit for the use of an outdoor walk-in freezer and proposed modifications to the existing outdoor dining area associated with Ojai Mountain Farms restaurant
located at 242 East Ojai Avenue.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Rule, to approve Item 11, proceeding with the appeal.
The motion carried 3-1-1 (Mayor Pro Tem Mang dissenting. Council Member Whitman abstaining.).
12. Authorization to Purchase One (1) 2026 BMW Police Motorcycle (Operational Need)
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the purchase of one (1) new 2026 BMW police motorcycle for the Ojai Police Department’s Motor Officer Program, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, including an 84-month/unlimited-mileage full-service warranty, from authorized BMW dealer Long Beach BMW Motorcycles.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Rule, seconded by Council Member Whitman, to approve Item 12, as recommended.
The motion carried unanimously.
13. Award Maintenance Agreement for Janitorial Services (Operational Need) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute Maintenance Agreement No. 2026- 31 with Kelly’s Cleaning & Supplies for janitorial services in the amount of $115,263.96 annually for a three-year period commencing July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, and;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute, in their sole discretion, future amendments for up to two (2) additional one-year terms for a maximum agreement term not to exceed five (5) years.
OR
3. Direct staff to appropriate funding for two full-time Maintenance I employees. If option one, two, or three are not selected then:
4. Provide alternative direction to the City Manager
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 13, with a three-year agreement modification, additional language added for cancellation, and to return to Council with options.
The motion carried 4-1 (Mayor Pro Tem Mang dissenting.).
14. Award of Contract – State of the City Video Production, Scriptwriting, and Event Presentation Support (Council Direction)
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year contract with Tripepi Smith & Associates in the amount of $35,802, for the State of the City Video Production, and Event Presentation Support.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Lang, to approve Item 14, and to direct staff to return with an item to establish a communications adhoc committee.
The motion carried 3-2 (Mayor Pro Tem Mang and Council Member Whitman dissenting.).
15. Award of Contract for Communications and Social Media Services Contract for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (Operational Need)
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Tripepi Smith & Associates for Communications and Social Media Services for Fiscal Year (FY)26-27, based on their proven experience with the City, competitive pricing, and compliance with the City’s purchasing policy.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 15, for a one-year agreement term, and establishing Mayor Pro Tem Mang and Council Member Mang to a Communications Ad-Hoc committee, to be involved in agreement discussions.
The motion carried 3-2 (Mayor Pro Tem Mang and Council Member Whitman dissenting.).
COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Gilman and Council Member Rule requested future items for a Soule Park acquisition and a Goals and Tactics workshop scheduling.
Mayor Pro Tem Mang, with consensus, requested a special meeting to discuss a Fourth of July chair placement policy.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
____________________________________
Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Approved: July 14, 2026 Regular Meeting