DISTRICT 1 - LESLIE RULE
DISTRICT 2 - RACHEL LANG
DISTRICT 3 - ANDREW WHITMAN
DISTRICT 4 - KIM MANG
BEN HARVEY
CITY MANAGER
BETHANY BURGESS
CITY ATTORNEY
WESTON MONTGOMERY
CHIEF DEPUTY CITY CLERK
1. Concept Review: Placement of Chairs and Other Personal Property within AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026, 3:00 PM
KENT HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL CAMPUS - 111 W SANTA ANA ST, OJAI, CA AGENDA UPDATED - 6/10/26, 1:00 PM - UPDATED TO INCLUDE DISCUSSION ITEM #1
OJAI CITY COUNCIL
ANDY GILMAN, MAYOR
VIEWING & ACCESS
Public participation is encouraged! The Ojai City Council meets regularly on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6:00 p.m. The meetings are conducted in a hybrid model, providing both in-person attendance and virtual public comment via the Zoom link below.
Virtual attendance via Zoom is the only way to remotely provide public comment. Preregistration is not required for public comment via Zoom. Instead, Zoom participants will utilize the “hand-raise” function to indicate their desire to speak on an item. The meeting is also livestreamed on the City's website at ojai.ca.gov/525/2968/Public-Meetings, on YouTube at youtube.com/@ojaicity, and on Spectrum Channel 10. See “Public Comment Options” below for further instruction.
ZOOM LINK - June 11, 2026 - Special Meeting
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
DISCUSSION
Thursday, June 11, 2026 Ojai City Council Agenda
1 Right-of-Way Along Ojai Ave For the Fourth of July Parade (Mang/Whitman)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
(Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1))
Name of case: Leslie Rule v. City of Ojai, Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2025CUPT055697
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4))
Initiation of litigation in one matter.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and discuss a concept regarding the placement of chairs and other personal property within the public right-of-way along Ojai Avenue in advance of the annual Fourth of July Parade and provide direction to staff, if desired.
Administrative Report - Concept Review, Right of Way and 4th of July.
CLOSED SESSION
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Posted June 9, 2026 at 8:00 p.m., Updated June 10, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
Written public comments will be published here for public access. Please see PUBLIC COMMENT OPTIONS below for detailed instructions on how to submit.
Written Comments
Written Public Comments 06 11 26
ACCOMMODATIONS
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call (805) 646-5581. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
If you feel that a language interpreter is necessary for you to participate in this meeting, notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements for an interpreter to assure your participation/understanding of this meeting.
Si considera que un intérprete de idiomas es necesario para participar en esta reunión, la notificación 48 horas antes de la reunión le permitirá a la Ciudad hacer arreglos razonables para que un intérprete asegure su participación/comprensión de esta reunión del Concejo Municipal.
Para Español por favor llame al (805) 646-5581 ext. 100 o por correo electronico a Thursday, June 11, 2026 Ojai City Council Agenda
2 [email protected].
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Agenda reports and other disclosable public records related to agenda items are available on the City's website at ojai.ca.gov/525/2968/Public-Meetings and at City Hall located at 401 S.
Ventura St., Ojai, Ca., during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT OPTIONS
Written Comments: In order for staff to provide the City Council with written public comments timely, written/emailed public comments must be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day before the meeting.
You may always submit written comments to the City Clerk via mail, in person at City Hall, or via email to [email protected]. If your written comment is received by 3:00 p.m. on the day before the meeting date, the City Clerk will distribute copies of your comments to all Council Members and recorded on the City website. Written comments received after 3:00 p.m. may not be distributed to the Council Members and recorded on the City website until after the meeting.
Verbal Comments: Verbal Comments will be received on any item on the agenda at the time the agenda item is heard. Comments may be made in person at the meeting or through Zoom, via the link at the top of the Agenda. Pre-registration is not required for public comment via Zoom. Instead, Zoom participants will utilize the hand-raise function to indicate their desire to speak on an item.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
All materials related to an item on this agenda, including written public comments, will be available for public inspection in the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, and following the meeting, will be accessible on the City of Ojai's website at ojai.ca.gov.
As a government agency, the City of Ojai is subject to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250 et seq.). Please be advised that all communications submitted to City officials and staff are subject to public disclosure under the California Public Records Act.
There are limited exceptions that allow the City to redact personal information under the California Public Records Act. If you have concerns regarding privacy, please do not include your personal identifying information, such as your name, e-mail, phone number, and home address in your correspondence to the City, including, but not limited to, public comment.
If you challenge the actions of the City Council in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in the public notices, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing (California Government Code Section 65009).
Any legal action by an applicant seeking to obtain a judicial review of the City Council's decision on a Hearing listed on this Agenda may be subject to the 90-day filing period of and governed by Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6.
LEVINE ACT WARNING
Thursday, June 11, 2026 Ojai City Council Agenda
3 Applicants and their agents before the City Council are subject to the campaign disclosure provisions detailed in Government Code Section 84308. No City Council Member may accept, solicit, or direct a contribution of more than $500 from any party or agent for 12 months subsequent to the date a final decision is rendered by the City. This prohibition commences when your application has been filed, or the proceeding is otherwise initiated.
A party to a City proceeding - which includes both applicants and agents - shall disclose on the record of the proceeding any contribution of more than $500 made to any Council Member by the applicant or agent, during the preceding 12 months. No party to a City proceeding, or agent, shall make a contribution to a Council Member during the proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is rendered by the City.
Prior to rendering a decision on a City proceeding, any Council Member who received a contribution of more than $500 within the preceding 12 months from any party, or agent, to a proceeding shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding and shall be disqualified from participating in the proceeding. However, if any Council Member receives a contribution that otherwise would require disqualification and returns the contribution within 30 days of knowing about the contribution and the relevant proceeding, the Council Member shall be permitted to participate in the proceeding.
If you believe that these provisions apply to you or a Council Member, please inform the City Clerk at the earliest possible opportunity. Failure to do so may affect the City's ability to process your application.
Thursday, June 11, 2026 Ojai City Council Agenda
4
Administrative Report
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Ben Harvey, City Manager
MEETING DATE: June 11, 2026
SUBJECT: Concept Review: Placement of Chairs and Other Personal Property within Right-of-Way Along Ojai Ave For the Fourth of July Parade (Mang/Whitman)
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and discuss a concept regarding the placement of chairs and other personal property within the public right-of-way along Ojai Avenue in advance of the annual Fourth of July Parade and provide direction to staff, if desired.
DISCUSSION
Each year, community members place chairs, and other personal items along Ojai Avenue days before the Fourth of July parade. As time has gone by, the length of time that these personal items are placed out on Ojai Avenue has turned into weeks to reserve viewing locations. While this tradition is valued by many residents and visitors, the practice can create challenges related to pedestrian access, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, public safety, maintenance operations, and the general use of the public right-of-way.
Staff has received concerns from residents regarding the early placement of chairs and other personal property along the parade route. These concerns include impacts to sidewalk accessibility, limitations on pedestrian movement, visual clutter along Ojai Avenue, and the perception that public spaces are being reserved for extended periods of time before the event. Residents have also expressed concerns regarding the ability of seniors, families with strollers, and individuals with disabilities to safely navigate sidewalks when personal property encroaches into pedestrian pathways.
The public right-of-way is intended (and legally required under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Caltrans regulations) to remain accessible to all members of the public. Extended placement of personal property may obstruct sidewalks, limit accessibility for individuals with mobility impairments, create hazards for pedestrians, and interfere with routine maintenance activities. In addition, unattended items may present concerns regarding liability, enforcement, and consistency in the use of public spaces.
This item is being presented to the City Council as a concept review only. No ordinance, policy, or regulatory changes are proposed at this time. The purpose of this discussion is 5
to provide an opportunity for the City Council to consider whether modifications to current practices should be explored and to provide feedback regarding potential solutions.
Potential options that could be considered in the future include, but are not limited to:
Maintaining the current practice with no changes;
Establishing a designated timeframe during which chairs and personal property may be placed along the parade route;
Prohibiting unattended personal property within the public right-of-way prior to a specified time and date and time;
Creating enforcement procedures for items placed outside of established guidelines;
Developing a public education campaign encouraging responsible use of the public right-of-way while preserving community traditions; and Removal or relocation of personal property that impair accessibility.
Should the City Council wish to pursue any of these or other options, staff would return at a future meeting with additional analysis, legal review, operational considerations, community outreach, and any proposed policy or ordinance amendments necessary for Council considerations.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS ALIGNMENT
Goal No. 5 - Public Safety
OPTIONS
1. Take no action;
2. Provide alternative directions to staff.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with receiving this concept review and providing direction to staff.
Prepared by: Norma Cervantes, Assistant to the City Manager
ATTACHMENT(S)
None
6 As a government agency, the City of Ojai is subject to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250 et seq.). Please be advised that all communications submitted to City oicials and sta are subject to public disclosure under the California Public Records Act. There are limited exceptions that allow the City to redact personal information under the California Public Records Act. If you have concerns regarding privacy, please do not include your personal identifying information, such as your name, e-mail, phone number, and home address in your correspondence to the City, including, but not limited to, public comment.
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk
MEETING DATE: June 11, 2026
SUBJECT: Written Public Comments
The attached public comments were submitted to the City Clerk prior to 3:00 p.m. the date before the meeting (referenced above) and are being posted to the City’s website for public access.
Posted: June 11, 2026
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Written/emailed public comments must be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day before the meeting.
The City encourages public participation. Members of the public who wish to make public comments may do so in person at the meeting, comment live via telewebinar software, or submit written public comments in advance of the meeting. Written public comment emails should be sent to [email protected].
Communications to the City Council are public records and will become part of the City’s electronic records, which are accessible through the City’s website. Please note: e-mail addresses, names, addresses, and other contact information are not required, but if included in any communication to the City Council, will become part of the public record. If you do not want your e-mail address or any other contact information to be made public, you may deliver communications to the City Clerk’s Office at 401 S Ventura St, Ojai Ca, 93023, or you may email the comment as an attached PDF to the email and request in the email to only include the attachment. If you do not want your contact information included in the public record, please do not include that information in your communication.
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Weston Montgomery
From: BILL MILEY <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2026 6:45 AM
To: Andy Gilman; Kim Mang; Andrew Whitman; Rachel Lang; Leslie Rule Cc: Ben Harvey; Bethany Burgess; Norma Cervantes; Lindy Palmer; Lucas Seibert; squilici; Weston Montgomery
Subject: Council meeting 6/11/26 1 pm. Public seating on sidewalks and city right of ways. 6/11/26. 7 am.
To: Ojai City Council
Others: city manager, city attorney, asst to city manager, public work director, planning director, city clerk
From: Bill Miley
Subject: council meeting 6/11/26 1 pm…public chairs “seating” Hello
My thinking is a follows… (the current problem is “seating is being placed one month in advance”…in past i remember 2 weeks.)
1. The city has an ordinance which regulates placing objects on city property…streets, sidewalks and open ground. Restaurants have to get permits. The ice cream store used the wrong bench.
2. The city for YEARS allowed the public to place chairs on city sidewalks and right of ways along Ojai Avenue. Mostly unrestricted i assume. For 4th of July Parade.
3. Whether there is an ordinance which regulates special downtown events and use of public sidewalks and right of ways…i don’t know.
4. There appears to be a risk involved in allowing random placement of seating structures on city property along Ojai Avenue. Not only for obstructing public right of way, but for non-owner use of “seating” during non-event times. Which of course is 24 hours a day on all but the event day. Sit in a seat that breaks and one can get injured. Who is liable? Trip on a seat and fall while walking. Who is liable?
5. Obstructing “public right away”. Where the “seating” gets placed is up to the person placing it.
There are no requirements. What is the width of the sidewalk? How much open space for public use is left?
6. Ideas for management…
***a. Keep doing the same…which is nothing…no control or guidelines. ***b. Publicize a time period for placing seating for the 4th of July Parade. Eg. Two weeks before. ***c. Publicize the amount of free space to be left for public access/walking. ***d. Since there is a certain demand for some spaces down town there will always be some who rush. Set a date each year after which seating can be placed. Seating placed before that will be 8 2
removed by the city and stored at the public works yard for pickup before the 4th of July. (Consider a 10$ charge for pickup and storage.)
***e. To control risk and liability, establish a brand new program requiring permits for placing seating on Ojai Avenue. Eg. Starting June 1, the public can submit a request using a website form to get permission for placement of a certain number of seats for the 4th of July Parade. At no cost. There will be a liability release statement which is required to be signed. Both for person injury and injury to those from the public. The agreed up conditions will be listed and needed to be agreed with. There will be a map of downtown sidewalks and public right of ways where no seating is allowed.
The purpose is to set reasonable controls over public placement of seating on public sidewalks and right of ways for special one time events. To reduce risk, assign liability and make the events fun and positive.
Sincerely, Bill Miley. 컗컘컙컚鄂鄃컛컜컝컞컟鄄컠컡컢컣커컥컦쵧쵨컧쵩밮밫밬밯배백밲밭
Sent from my iPad
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Weston Montgomery
From: Lindy Palmer
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2026 10:04 AM
To: Andrew Whitman; Andy Gilman; Ben Harvey; Bethany Burgess; Kim Mang; Leslie Rule; Norma Cervantes; Rachel Lang; Weston Montgomery
Subject: Agenda item - Placement of Chairs and other personal property Good morning everyone,
As a long-time resident of the Ojai Valley and your Public Works Director, I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts regarding the agenda item scheduled for this afternoon: the Concept Review of the Placement of Chairs and Other Personal Property within the Right-of-Way Along Ojai Ave for the Fourth of July Parade. I truly appreciate and acknowledge the tradition of placing chairs along the parade route in anticipation of this vibrant and fun event—it's a hallmark of Ojai’s community spirit.
However, I would like to highlight several challenges we face as we allow chairs and other items to be placed within the public right-of-way. These impacts touch many groups: our business community, the general public, individuals with accessibility needs, and our city staƯ.
Each year, Public Works receives numerous calls from businesses along Ojai Ave who experience disruptions as storefront accessibility becomes inconvenient for their customers. Businesses often request assistance to clear sidewalks and restore access, and we have received complaints when some business owners block their entire frontage with chairs reserved for their customers.
For the general public, many reach out during this time to ask about the “policy” for chair placement along Ojai Avenue and question why sidewalks are blocked for such long periods. PW staƯ is often tasked with moving chairs to maintain continuous pedestrian access.
Accessibility concerns arise every year, especially for individuals with disabilities or impairments. The placement of chairs along the parade route significantly impacts those already facing accessibility challenges—sidewalks are often narrow, and additional chairs or outdoor seating further reduce available space, creating a liability for the city.
Street parking is also aƯected. Chairs positioned against curbs can make it diƯicult for people to exit vehicles parked along Ojai Ave, complicating parking and limiting safe access. Passengers may find doors hitting chairs or struggle to step safely onto the curb.
All of these impacts place an additional burden on Public Works staƯ, pulling them away from other important tasks such as park maintenance, facility repairs, street and sidewalk maintenance, and power washing. After the parade, many items—old chairs, sofas, and more—are left behind for PW staƯ to dispose of, extending our involvement well beyond the event.
Our administrative staƯ also field frequent questions about when chairs can be placed along the route.
Since we lack a formal policy, we currently discourage advance placement and remind everyone that any personal property left in the right-of-way is at the owner’s risk. The idea of storing chairs has been 10 2
suggested but is unfortunately not feasible due to limited space and the need to avoid handling personal property.
Liability is another concern. Allowing the placement and blockage of sidewalks for the general public and those with accessibility challenges for more than a month—from late June through July 6, when PW crews remove leftover items—creates risks for the city.
I am strongly in support of the city council adopting a formal policy to guide, share, and enforce, similar to those in surrounding cities and agencies. I am familiar with how some local cities handle advance placement and would be happy to bring those examples forward if that is the council’s direction. For reference, here are a few ideas from nearby communities: the City of Santa Barbara allows items to be set up starting at 5:00 pm the day before the Old Spanish Days Fiesta parade, while for the Summer Solstice Parade, chairs and blankets are permitted after 6:00 pm the evening before; Camarillo permits chairs and blankets after 5:00 pm the day before the event.
I hope these points will help inform our discussion this afternoon. Thank you for your attention and consideration as we work together to improve the Fourth of July parade experience for everyone.
Best,
Lindy Palmer
Public Works Director
City of Ojai
408 S. Signal Street, Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 816-1890
[email protected]
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Weston Montgomery
From: Summer McComas <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 6:02 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public comment Fourth of July chairs
Mayor Gilman and Members of the Ojai City Council,
I’m writing to address the discussion about the placement of chairs and personal property along Ojai Avenue in preparation for the Fourth of July Parade.
As a business owner situated at the corner of Ojai Avenue and Fox Street, I’ve witnessed this cherished tradition firsthand every year. I understand the concerns raised regarding accessibility, pedestrian safety, and the shared use of public spaces. These concerns warrant careful consideration.
However, I firmly believe that the Council should prioritize preserving this long-standing Ojai tradition.
The Fourth of July Parade holds immense significance for our community. The sight of families strategically placing chairs along the route in anticipation of the celebration has become an integral part of the experience. It generates excitement, fosters community connection, and instills a sense of small-town charm that resonates with both residents and visitors.
I firmly believe that a reasonable balance can be achieved. Chairs and personal items should not pose safety hazards or hinder the movement of individuals with disabilities, families with strollers, seniors, or other pedestrians along the parade route. Nevertheless, if adequate access can be maintained, I don’t believe the tradition itself should be restricted or eliminated.
One of the defining characteristics of Ojai is our ability to uphold community traditions while simultaneously being mindful of the needs of everyone who resides here and visits.
Not every longstanding tradition necessitates immediate intervention. In this case, I believe the focus should be on ensuring accessibility and safety while preserving a practice that has become an integral part of our Fourth of July celebration’s character and spirit.
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I respectfully urge the Council to safeguard this tradition and explore solutions that address specific accessibility concerns without diminishing one of the many factors that make Ojai truly unique.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Summer McComas
Owner, Ojai + Fox Health, Beauty & Wellness Spa
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