A few notes from Ojai City Council last night (3/10):

The Council voted 3-2 to purchase an $850K single family residence (503 S. Ventura St.) adjacent to Ojai City Hall. An amendment from Councilwoman Leslie Rule called for a city staff-led feasibility study regarding the potential to move the 30-unit state-funded permanent supportive housing project to the .2 acre parcel. The yes votes came from Rule, Mayor Andy Gilman, and Councilwoman Rachel Lang. Rule added, “I think the maintenance yard is failing” and “I am losing confidence in Dignity Moves all the time.” It sounds like we’ll get another update on the project (formerly known as Cabin Village) during the March 24th City Council meeting. Councilmembers Andy Whitman and Kim Mang voted no, citing budget concerns. I’ll note that the property owner approached the City re: the sale.

The Council also approved $4 million street paving plan. The public works director said they’ve invested 11M in paving over the past four years.

During the public comment period, Budget Committee member Clay Creasey criticized the City’s financial practices, called for the creation of an emergency subcommittee. He also called on the City to take four specific actions: no new consulting contracts, freeze the City Manager’s independent spending authority, conduct a “realistic” 5-year financial forecast, and revisit its reserve policy.

The City Council also voted to create a new Public Safety Commission.