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Ojai council backs fast review of wildfire-prevention proposal, asks staff for options
Summary
After repeated public pleas and presentations from Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council supporters, the council agreed to add a concept-review item to an upcoming agenda to consider wildfire-prevention partnerships, including grant acquisition, land clearing and outreach.
Public comment and a multi-member presentation at the June 17 Ojai City Council meeting pushed wildfire risk and prevention to the top of the council—set priorities.
Randy Coggin, identified himself as a board member of the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council, urged the council to make wildfire safety and risk mitigation its No. 1 priority and said the Fire Safe Council had submitted a proposal to perform mitigation work. "The Fire Safe Council is prepared and, most importantly, capable of professionally and expertly performing that work," Coggin said.
Council members expressed urgency about moving quickly while the city remains in fire season. Several council members and staff discussed bringing a concept-review item back at the next possible meeting so the council could evaluate either directing staff to develop an RFQ/RFP or consider the Fire Safe Council—submitted proposal or a subset of it.
Staff described the council's immediate options: (1) direct staff to develop scope for an RFQ/RFP based on council direction; (2) accept the Fire Safe Council—provided proposal or elements of it; or (3) run a public solicitation. City staff said a full RFP cycle commonly requires at least 30 days for responses, but the council could place a concept-review item on the next packet to allow public input and accelerate action. "We could create a concept review item to discuss this at your meeting on the 20 fourth," the city manager said, adding it might be published later in the week.
Council consensus: members asked staff to prepare an agenda concept review that lays out options: accept the proposal (or parts of it), direct staff to prepare an RFQ/RFP scope, or both. Council members repeatedly emphasized the need to hear competing providers, but also voiced concern about lost time during high-risk months. "Let's listen to the community. Let's listen to the Fire Safe Council. Let's listen to anyone who does not support that proposal," Mayor Ben Gilman said. "I feel a real sense of urgency."
The motion created no contract and did not commit funds; it directs staff to return with options and a recommended path for procurement and possible near-term action. Staff indicated the concept-review item could appear at a follow-up meeting later in July or on a special meeting if the council so chose.
