MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 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
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve the agenda.
The motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council to Provide a Quarterly Update
COMMISSION REPORTS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Harvey provided an oral report
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. City of Ojai Warrants for May 25, 2026 - June 07, 2026 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
3. Treasurer's Monthly Report of Cash and Investments for the City of Ojai as of May 31, 2026
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
4. Minutes - Planning Commission
RECOMMENDATION: Received and file.
5. Annual Request for Services – Ventura County Animal Services RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to execute the second amendment to the Animal Services Agreement with Ventura County to exercise the second, one-year renewal period and extend the Agreement through June 30, 2027, and submit the annual Service Level Request to Ventura County Animal Services for Fiscal Year 2026/2027, at the existing service level and for the updated service costs
identified in Attachment A.
6. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Statement of Investment Policy
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving the City of Ojai’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 Statement of Investment Policy and replace prior resolutions and policies relating to the City’s Statement of Investment Policy, including but not limited to, the provisions contained within Investment Policy Resolution 25-25 adopted June 24, 2025.
7. Award Amendment No. 1 to Ventura Regional Sanitary District (VRSD) for Storm Drain Cleaning and Video Inspections for the 2026 Pavement Rehabilitation Project (ST-3007) (Operational Need)
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 (PW Agreement No. 2025-31A) to the existing agreement with Ventura Regional Sanitary District (VRSD, a special district) for continued storm drain cleaning and video inspection services in support of the 2026 Pavement Rehabilitation Project (ST-3007), increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $51,781 for a total authorized expenditure of $109,629, and extending the term through December 30, 2026.
8. Resolution Expressing Support for Conservation of Local Biodiversity and Stewardship of Natural, Coastal, and Public Lands
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Resolution expressing support for the conservation of local biodiversity and the stewardship of natural, coastal, and public lands within
the City of Ojai.
9. City Council Minutes
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
10. Commission Appointments
RECOMMENDATION: Confirm nomination of applicant Raymond Sims as Public Safety Commissioner to fill an inaugural vacancy (two-year term ending May 2028), Brenna Furness as Public Safety Commissioner to fill an inaugural vacancy (two-year term ending May 2028), and confirm reappointment of Suzi Taylor as Parks and
Recreation Commissioner (four-year term ending May 2030).
Council Member Rule pulled Items 5 and 8.
Mayor Gilman pulled Item 10.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar, Item 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 The motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Rule, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 5.
The motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Rule, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 8.
The motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Member Whitman, to approve Item 10.
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
11. City Council Appeal of Planning Commission Denial | 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 and Council Member Rule)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive the Administrative Report and Presentation from Staff and the Applicant;
2. Take Public Comment on this matter; and
3. Consider a resolution (Attachment A) approving the outdoor storage and use of an existing walk-in freezer and proposed modifications to the existing outdoor dining area located at 242 East Ojai Avenue, consistent with the findings associated with the Design Review Permit and Conditional Use Permit and subject to the conditions of approval, and finding that the project is categorically
exempt from CEQA.
Council members made ex parte disclosures. Mayor Gilman opened the public hearing, accepted public comment, and closed the public hearing.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve the recommended Resolution with revisions to reflect a conditional and temporary, six-month approval of the freezer and the expanded outdoor dining area, and to return to City Council with an update regarding efforts to use a different freezer at the first regular meeting in August.
Motion carried 4-1 (Mayor Pro Tem Mang dissenting.).
Council Member Whitman exited the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
12. Recommended Fiscal Year 2026/27 Budget, Annual GANN Appropriations Limit, and Salary Schedules and Adoption of Related Resolutions (Operational Need)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Hold a public hearing to receive comments on the recommended FY 2026- 27 Budget and complete the budget review;
2. Review and approve the GANN Appropriations Limit computation;
3. Adopt a Resolution establishing the GANN Appropriations Limit for FY 2026-27;
4. Adopt a Resolution adopting the FY 2026-27 Budget; and
5. Adopt a Resolution amending the Salary Schedule for City Employees, effective July 6, 2026.
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 Lang, to approve Item 12, as recommended.
The motion carried 3-1-1 (Mayor Pro Tem Mang dissenting. Council Member Whitman absent.).
13. Zone Change (ZC 25-001) | Request for a zone change from Business Professional (BP) to Commercial (C-1) to allow for the sale of alcohol and bring an existing gas station “Ojai Gas” associated convenience store use into conformance regarding zone designation, located at 1124 Maricopa Highway, Assessor’s Parcel Number 019-0-180-070. The subject site has a General Plan Designation of General Commercial (GC), and the Zoning Classification of the site is Business Professional (BP). Property Owner: Ojai Gas Inc. Applicant: Ojai Gas Inc. Raad Abasi. Representative: Alan Nelsen, Marquette Consulting, Inc. (Operational Need)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Conduct a public hearing, accept public testimony, and close the public hearing; and
2. Adopt City Council Resolution (Attachment A) approving Zone Change (ZC 25-001) from Business Professional (BP) to General Commercial (C-1) to allow for the sale of alcohol and bring existing gas station “Ojai Gas” associated convenience store use into conformance regarding zone designation, based on
the findings and conditions in Attachment A as the proposal is consistent with the Ojai Municipal Code, and finding the project to be categorically exempt from CEQA.
Mayor Gilman opened the public hearing, accepted public comment, and closed the public hearing.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Rule, seconded by Mayor Gilman, to approve Item 13, as recommended.
The motion carried 4-0-1 (Council Member Whitman absent.).
DISCUSSION
14. First Amendment to Agreement with Ventura County Behavioral Health for Intensive Services Coordinator for FY 2026-2027 (Operational Need) RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to execute the First Amendment to the Agreement with Ventura County Behavioral Health for continuation of Intensive Service Coordinator services for non-emergency mental health and case management for unhoused individuals citywide, to extend the term of the Agreement by one year and increase the Agreement's Not-to-Exceed Limit by $177,647, funded equally by General Fund (OTT) and ERF Grant Funds, for a new total Not-to-Exceed
Limit of $371,955, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Item 14 was continued to a future meeting.
15. Concept Review for City of Ojai Speed Hump Policy (City Council Direction) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Review the recommendations for a City of Ojai Speed Hump Policy and provide feedback to staff; and,
2. Decide whether to adopt the policy at a future meeting or have it reviewed by
the Public Safety Commission.
Item 15 was continued to a future meeting.
16. Council Member Town Hall and Panel Policy (City Council Direction) RECOMMENDATION: Review and adopt the Town Hall and Panel Policy establishing guidelines for City sponsored and Council member hosted town community meetings, including the use of City resources and compliance.
Item 16 was continued to a future meeting.
17. Adoption of Updated Social Media Policy and Community Calendar Use Policy (Operational Need)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt the updated City of Ojai Social Media Policy, including Appendices A through E; and
2. Adopt the BeWith Community Calendar Use & Posting Policy, to ensure consistent governance, public transparency, accessibility, and legally defensible content moderation practices.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Council Lang, to approve Item 17, with minor modifications to content guidelines sections and direction to have Communications ad hoc committee review.
The motion carried 4-0-1 (Council Member Whitman absent.).
COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
____________________________________
Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Approved: July 14, 2026 Regular Meeting