Ojai HPC: plaque design set for Ojai Day, panel declines Arbolada landmark push, trail‑plaque plan moves to council; commission elects secretary

The Ojai Historic Preservation Commission used its June meeting to advance two public‑facing heritage initiatives and to record three formal actions affecting future work.

Plaque and Ojai Day: Commissioners approved a final plaque layout for the state‑designated Downtown Ojai Historic District with small design edits: a double border without corner squares, left‑justified (ragged‑right) body text, and the commission name centered at the bottom. The commission confirmed the plaque wording previously approved, asked staff to secure a casting vendor's invoice, and scheduled the plaque unveiling to coincide with Ojai Day. Museum staff offered to host a slideshow of local history during Ojai Day and to provide images for banners; the commission discussed rotating volunteer coverage at the museum, a booth, and the jail and delegated coordination with the city Ojai Day organizer (Christy Rivera) to Commissioner Akins and the chair. Commissioners also discussed using museum production options (foam core or vinyl) and budgeting considerations; invoices must be submitted by June 30 to be charged to the current fiscal year.

Arbolada stone curbs: After receiving many resident letters the commission debated whether to pursue landmark nomination of the Arbolada rock curbs. Commissioners and staff clarified process options and constraints, and several commissioners recommended that nomination work be led by neighborhood residents rather than the commission to avoid Brown Act concerns and to ensure community buy‑in. The commission voted to not move forward as a commission with a nomination at this time; staff will respond to the resident letters explaining the nomination path (citizen nomination or commission‑initiated investigation) and the resources involved (historic report costs, application fees). The motion to not proceed passed on roll call.

Trail plaques and budget request: Commissioners received updates on proposed interpretive plaques for the Ojai Valley Trail (Rotary Park/horse trough, the tennis courts/bowl, a site near the former depot, and a site replacing a damaged jail interpretive sign). Ventura County parks staff indicated the county would consider an encroachment permit if the commission supplies sign descriptions, sizes, and exact locations. Commissioners voted to ask staff to prepare a council presentation and budget request to move the trail‑plaque project forward; the commission has sought seed monies in the next fiscal year and discussed matching or partner contributions (service clubs) for fabrication and installation.

Secretary election: The commission elected Commissioner Rick Visacha as the commission secretary for a one‑year term; the role will produce action minutes after meetings and submit them to staff for the next packet.

Other business: The commission agreed to purchase a California Preservation Foundation organizational membership and to explore training webinars for commissioners (topics suggested: historic design guidelines, cultural landscapes, and local survey updates). Commissioners also discussed outreach materials (brochures and a flyer on local benefits of a state historic district), possible assistance for Mill Act or nomination costs from future commission budgets, and an RFP schedule to update the city's historic resources survey.

Formal votes recorded at the meeting appear in the actions summary below; staff will post meeting minutes, the plaque mockups, and the project correspondence on the city website.