MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 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 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
The following members were present: Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Mang, and Council Members Rule, Lang, and Whitman.
Also present: Acting City Manager, City Attorney Burgess, 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 Mayor, to approve the agenda with Item 9 being reordered as the first discussion item.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Food Share Ventura County Chief Development Officer, Jennifer Caldwell, to provide a report on local services provided.
COMMISSION REPORTS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. City Council Minutes
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.
3. Planning Commission Minutes
RECOMMENDATION: Received and file.
4. City of Ojai Warrants for July 27 - August 16, 2026
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
5. Treasurer's Monthly Report of Cash and Investments for the City of Ojai as of July 31, 2026
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
6. Approve Addendum to Fire Alarm Monitoring Contract with JMG Security Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the addendum to the fire alarm monitoring contract with JMG Security Systems for the installation of new smoke detection equipment in the gymnasium at 510 Park Road in the amount of $17,488, as detailed in the submitted contract documents and in accordance with applicable state and local fire safety codes.
7. County of Ventura Civil Grand Jury Report Regarding Ojai Permanent Supportive Housing Project
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the proposed response to the County of Ventura Civil Grand Jury Report.
Council Member Rule pulled Item 4 for discussion.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, second by Mayor Gilman, to approve Items 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7.
The motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, second by Council Member Rule, to approve Item 4.
The motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION
8. County of Ventura Civil Grand Jury Report Regarding Countywide Response to Public Complaints About Fireworks (Legal Requirement) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Discuss the proposed response to the County of Ventura Civil Grand Jury Report
2. Approve the proposed response or provide direction for revisions to the proposed response.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, second by Mayor Pro Tem Mang, to approve the response to the Ventural County Civil Grand Jury Report with revisions to the responses to Finding No. F-05 to reflect that the City enforces the Ventura County Fire Protection District prohibition on fireworks and Recommendation No. R-02 to reflect that the City wille valuate whether to adopt a host liability ordinance.
The motion carried unanimously.
9. Introduce Ordinance No. 974 Amending Article 5 of Chapter 3 of Title 4 of the Ojai Municipal Code to Add Section 4-3.511 Prohibiting the Use of Libbey Park Tennis Courts For Any Activity Other Than Tennis (City Council Direction)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Introduce, for first reading by title only with further reading waived, Ordinance No. 974 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OJAI, CALIFORNIA AMENDING ARTICLE 5 OF CHAPTER 3 OF TITLE 4 OF THE OJAI MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD SECTION 4-3.511 PROHIBITING
THE USE OF LIBBEY PARK TENNIS COURTS FOR ANY ACTIVITY
OTHER THAN TENNIS, and;
2. Direct staff to return to the City Council for second reading and adoption of the Ordinance at the September 8, 2026, City Council Meeting.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Lang, second by Mayor Gilman, to approve with modifications to incorporate an Ojai Day exemption with tennis stakeholder feedback and approval though staff, and returning for a new introduction of ordinance.
The motion carried unanimously.
10. City of Ojai Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy (Operational Need) RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the City of Ojai Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy, establishing a governance framework for the responsible use of AI systems across all City departments.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Gilman, second by Council Member Rule, to approve the proposed City of Ojai AI Use Policy
The motion carried unanimously.
COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS
Council Member provided a report on a City Council Rule Town Hall on Public Safety.
Council Member Lang provided a report on the Chamber of Commerce Mayor Gilman provided a Public Safety Commission Liaison report.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gilman adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
____________________________________
Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Approved: September 15, 2026