Ojai City Council adopts earth-friendly pesticide policy, directs staff to draft energy-efficiency ordinance; multiple appointments and consent changes approved

The Ojai City Council on Dec. 10 adopted a formal Earth Friendly Management Policy for city-owned and leased properties and directed staff to return with a draft energy-efficiency ordinance for public review. The meeting also included several consent-calendar adjustments and personnel actions, including the confirmation of two commission appointments and a vote to pause a third appointment over a procedural irregularity.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the pesticide policy, which codifies practices the city says it has been using and that emphasize nonchemical pest management. "We are committed to utilizing available safe and effective nonpesticide alternatives," Public Works Director Lindy Palmer told the council during the presentation, adding the policy would limit use of organic pesticides on city property to emergency situations and require notification and recordkeeping when pesticides are used.

Why it matters: the policy converts years of informal city practice into a written framework that applies to city-owned or leased facilities, requires contractors to follow the new rules, and adds public-notice and record-keeping obligations. Supporters told council the measures protect children, pets and local wildlife; a few residents urged careful attention to practical pest-control outcomes for rodents and termites.

Key council actions and outcomes

- Earth Friendly Management Policy (resolution): Approved. The resolution applies to city-owned or leased properties, directs staff to post an "approved pesticide list," requires notification of pesticide use and record retention, and limits use of listed organic pesticides to emergencies after nonchemical measures are tried. The council adopted the policy by roll call after a motion to approve.

- Warrant description change (consent calendar): Approved. Council approved a motion to change one line item on the warrants register (item 7 on page 1b-4) to read "Legal Services" instead of the previously listed "Brown Act guidance." Councilmembers said the change clarifies a public record and directed staff to provide a more detailed explanation of recent legal invoices.

- Commission appointments and nominations: Partially approved. The council confirmed two nominees — Sage Itner (reappointment) and Robert Munick — and welcomed them to their roles. A separate nomination for Andrew Ellison was pulled by a council member and a motion that the nomination not move forward passed after members raised a concern that the nominating committee had not conducted the required three-member interview together as specified in the city ordinance.

- Mayor Pro Tem appointment: Approved. Council chose Rachel Lang as mayor pro tem for a one-year term.

- Energy-efficiency ordinance (concept review → direction): The council voted to direct staff to return with a proposed draft ordinance and outreach plan for review by the council and the public (targeted next steps will include options for applicability triggers and exemptions). Consultant Walker Wells described a "FlexPath" approach as a flexible compliance pathway that lets owners choose from a menu of efficiency or electrification measures to satisfy a local target while preserving federally required compliance options.

Meeting context and discussion highlights

Palmer told the council the policy is largely a formalization of best-management practices already in use, and stressed that the policy is limited to city-controlled property. She noted the city will continue to prioritize nonchemical techniques such as sealing building access points and cultural controls, and that certain treatments (for example, tenting for serious termite infestations) remain available when less intrusive measures are insufficient.

Residents and local advocates spoke in support of the pesticide policy and urged careful implementation. One public commenter recommended that when live trapping is discussed the city account for state requirements about relocation permits; staff said the policy requires compliance with applicable laws.

On the energy-efficiency concept, consultant Walker Wells (Rami & Associates) framed the approach as a flexible, point‑based pathway: "It's a flexible pathway to get towards these energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction goals," he said, explaining that a local ordinance would give owners several compliance options and could be structured to exempt projects that are financially or physically infeasible.

Council members emphasized the need for broader goal-setting and public outreach. Several members said fire-hardening and other adaptation priorities also merit attention; staff noted the council will conduct a goal-setting session in February and report quarterly on progress toward adopted priorities. The council directed staff to prepare a draft ordinance for discussion and community engagement rather than adopting an ordinance immediately.

Ending: staff follow-up and next steps

Staff will publish the adopted Earth Friendly Management Policy and the city’s approved pesticide list on the city website, prepare implementation guidance for public-works crews and contractors, and maintain required records for any pesticide use on city property. For the energy-efficiency work, staff will return with a draft ordinance and outreach plan for council review and public comment as directed.

Votes at a glance

- Earth Friendly Management Policy (resolution) — approved (roll call yes). Decision: policy adopted for city-owned/leased property; organic pesticides limited to emergency use; notification and record-keeping required. - Change wording on warrants (item 7, page 1b-4) from "Brown Act guidance" to "Legal Services" — approved. - Nomination of Andrew Ellison (Park & Rec Commission) — motion that the nomination not go forward passed following a finding the committee did not conduct the required three-member interview together. - Confirmation of Sage Itner and Robert Munick (Park & Rec/other commissions) — confirmed. - Appointment of Rachel Lang as mayor pro tem — confirmed. - Direction to staff to return with a proposed energy-efficiency ordinance and outreach plan for council and public review — approved.

(See actions[] array and provenance for transcript evidence and formal motion texts.)