Ojai council sends public comments opposing Vandenberg expansion and state housing bill language; seeks to incorporate additional counsel edits
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Summary
The council voted to transmit a letter with public comments opposing proposed expansions at Vandenberg and to send a council letter addressing State Senate Bill 79 concerns; staff will incorporate additional council or citizen edits before finalizing the transmittals.
The Ojai City Council on June 24 approved two related sets of letters: a public comment letter to be submitted to Vandenberg Air Force Base (regarding proposed launch increases) and a council letter objecting to aspects of State Senate Bill 79 as drafted. Council gave staff direction to incorporate a more detailed letter drafted by a council member into the Vandenberg submission before the mayor signs and transmits it.
Why it matters: Both items were discussed at length. The Vandenberg letter is time‑sensitive: council members and members of the public said they want to record official city concerns in the federal environmental review process. On SB 79 (housing legislation cited by speakers), councilors debated whether the city should weigh in on a state bill that some members see as an overreach into local control and others see as necessary housing policy.
Actions taken: The council authorized sending the Vandenberg public comment letter and directed staff to integrate additional comments supplied by a council member (and approved the resulting transmittal). On SB 79 the council likewise authorized a letter that expressed the city’s concerns with the bill as drafted; one council member expressed concern about the city taking positions on statewide legislation but the motion passed.
Ending: Staff will finalize the letters with council edits and the mayor’s signature, and post the materials for public record.
