Ojai, CA Seal

 AGENDA

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025, 6:00 PM

KENT HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL CAMPUS - 111 W SANTA ANA ST, OJAI, CA


OJAI CITY COUNCIL

ANDY GILMAN, MAYOR
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
 


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. 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. 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 - December 9 Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

PRESENTATIONS

1.

Service Recognition Award to City Attorney Matthew Summers for 10 Years of Service

 

2.

Introduction of Incoming Ojai Police Chief Tyler Abbott

 

COMMISSION REPORTS

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

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 November 3, 2025 - November 16, 2025

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file. 

Administrative Report - Warrant Report
Attachment A - Warrant Report Register
Warrant Cover Letter

4.

Treasurer's Monthly Report of Cash and Investments for the City of Ojai as of October 31, 2025

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file. 

Administrative Report - Treasurers Report Oct 2025
Attachment A - Treasurer's Monthly Report Oct 2025
Exhibit A - Cash & Investment Summary Oct 2025

5.

Minutes of the City Council

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Approve.

Minutes - Special Meeting December 2, 2025

6.

Minutes of the Planning Commission

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file.

Minutes - PC August 20, 2025
Minutes - PC September 3, 2025
Minutes - PC October 1, 2025

7.

Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file.

Minutes - HPC August 14, 2025

8.

Minutes of the Arts Commission

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file.

Minutes - Arts Commission - October 16, 2025

9.

Reappointment of Area Housing Authority Commissioner 

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Reappoint Mr. Steve Mason to serve a four-year term as the City of Ojai’s representative on the Ventura County Area Housing Authority Board.

Administrative Report - Area Housing Authority Reappointment
Attachment A - Application and Information

10.

Ratify Appointment to Fill Mid-Term Vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission 

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Review and ratify nomination of applicant Catalina Niessen as Historic Preservation Commissioner to fill a mid-term vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission.

Administrative Report - Historic Preservation Commissioner Ratification
Attachment A - Commissioner Application Form - C. Niessen

11.

Adoption of a Resolution to Amend the City's 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

 
RECOMMENDATION:

That the City Council adopt a resolution to amend the City's MissionSquare 457 Deferred Compensation Plan to include Roth Contribution provisions, options under the SECURE 2.0 Act, loan provisions, and deferral of leave cash-outs.

Administrative Report - Amend 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Attachment A - Resolution Amending the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Attachment B - 457 Governmental Plan and Trust Optional Provisions Election Form
Attachment C - Request for SECURE 2.0 and Other Plan Changes Checklist
Attachment D - MissionSquare Retirement Gov 457 Deferred Compensation Model Plan

12.

Approval of MOU with HELP of Ojai for Care Pod

 
RECOMMENDATION:

That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and HELP of Ojai regarding the operation of Care Pod.

Administrative Report - Help of Ojai MOU
Attachment A - MOU Carepod and Help of Ojai

13.

SECOND READING | Adoption of Ordinance No 969 Adopting the 2025 California Building Codes

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Conduct second reading, waiving the reading of the full text, and adopt Ordinance No. 969 adopting the 2025 California Building Codes, by reading of the title as stated below.

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OJAI ADOPTING BY REFERENCE, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 50022.2, CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS – TITLE 24, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, INCLUDING (1) CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, VOLUMES 1 & 2, 2025 EDITION; WITH APPENDICES I AND J; (2) CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, 2025 EDITION; (3) CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, 2025 EDITION, WITH APPENDICES H AND L; (4) CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, 2025 EDITION; (5) CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, 2025 EDITION; (6) CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, 2025 EDITION; (7) CALIFORNIA REFERENCE STANDARDS, 2025 EDITION; (8) CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE, 2022 EDITION; (9) CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, 2022 EDITION, WITH APPENDIX AH; (10) CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, 2025 EDITION; (11) CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, 2025 EDITION;(12) CALIFORNIA WILD LAND INTERFACE CODE 2025   AND ADOPTING LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS 17922, 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7, AND 18941.5 AND FINDING THAT THE ADOPTION OF THIS AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT

Administrative Report - Building Code Update
Attachment A - Ordinance No. 969

DISCUSSION

14.

Furnished by Owner and Installed by Owner (FOIO) Items | Ojai Permanent Supportive Housing Project (OPSHP) 611 South Montgomery Street and Policy for Commemorative Naming and Donations

 
RECOMMENDATION:
  1. Receive DignityMoves’ Furnished by Owner and Installed by Owner (FOIO) items list; and
  2. Review and adopt the Policy for Commemorative Naming and Donations.
Administrative Report - FOIO Donation Policy
Attachment A - FOIO List
Attachment B - Naming and Donations Policy

15.

Ratification of Arts Commission Recommendations – 2026 Arts Grants

 
RECOMMENDATION:

Ratify the Arts Commission’s recommendations for the 2026 Arts Grants Program.

Administrative Report - Arts Grants Awards Ratification
Attachment A - 2026 Arts Grants AD HOC Recommendations
Attachment B - 2026 Grants Scoring

COUNCIL MEMBER'S REPORTS

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

ADJOURNMENT

 

Posted December 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.  

Weston Montgomery, Chief Deputy City Clerk

WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS

All Written Public Comments will be published here for public access. Please see "Public Comment Options" below for detailed instructions on how to submit.


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 cityclerk@ojai.ca.gov.
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 cityclerk@ojai.ca.gov. 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
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.