Commissioners report 12 arts grants approved by council; checks are available, auditors and calendar under discussion

The Ojai Arts Commission reported that City Council unanimously approved the 12 grant recipients the commission recommended at its Feb. 11 meeting. Commission members said staff has notified awardees and that recipients who provided email addresses were told their checks would be available for pickup at City Hall.

Commissioner Wright, who led the grants update, said Council Member Meng asked why some recipients do not reside in the city; Wright said she clarified that point during council discussion. Commissioners reported the mayor and mayor pro tem indicated the city intends to increase the grants budget in future cycles.

Commissioners and staff discussed follow-up reporting and audits of previous recipients. Staff said some reports have already been received and that city staff will contact recipients who have not yet submitted required documentation. The commission asked staff to send reminder communications reminding grant recipients of their reporting responsibilities; staff confirmed the grant award package accompanying checks includes reporting requirements.

Members agreed the timetable for the application and award process should be revisited so that applicants and recipients have clearer expectations about award notification and check issuance; commissioners suggested a future agenda item to create a grants calendar that aligns commission deadlines with city staff and City Council meeting schedules. Staff said part of the previous delays were due to an election year and changes in council membership and that the current cycle timing is substantially similar to last year but could be improved.

No formal action was taken; commissioners requested a future agenda item to review the grants calendar and to propose improvements to application deadlines and staff workflows.