City of Ojai

The council held a special closed meeting to discuss sensitive agenda items. During the public comment period, a citizen expressed concerns regarding the necessity of conducting salary and cost-of-living adjustment discussions in closed sessions, advocating for transparency and the importance of competitive employee compensation. Following the closed session, the City Attorney reported that the council provided direction to staff to prepare additional information for a future closed session scheduled for a subsequent date.

The City Council meeting included a proclamation honoring Historic Preservation Month and reports from the City Manager regarding new staffing in the finance department and an upcoming budget committee meeting. Public comments addressed community programs such as Cycling Without Age, chamber of commerce events, and concerns regarding the federal roadless rule and potential industrial activities in the national forest. Discussion items included a review of the city's election system to consider shifting from district-based to at-large voting, alongside appointments to city commissions.

The committee reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget, discussed revenue trends compared to previous periods, and analyzed expenditures by department, including non-departmental costs. The discussion also addressed the city's reserve policy, the differentiation between ongoing and non-recurring expenditures, and the methodology for calculating the general fund balance.

The commission held a regular meeting to review a proposed modification for an outdoor dining area and the placement of a walk-in freezer at 242 East Ojai Avenue. Key discussion topics included compliance with current encroachment permit requirements, noise level measurements for the equipment, design consistency with arcade plaza guidelines, and the categorical exemptions under the California Environmental Quality Act regarding the historic nature of the property.

The City Council adopted a resolution to authorize the continued use of remote teleconference meetings for the City Council and its boards and commissions. This action was taken in accordance with state government code requirements related to holding public meetings during a declared state of emergency and included formal findings regarding the necessity of social distancing measures as recommended by public health officials.