Ojai CIP presentation highlights Sarasota Park grant, playground planning and limits of $250,000 pickleball study funding

Public Works Director Lindy Palmer told the Ojai Parks and Recreation Commission on Nov. 6 that the city's public works department prepares an annual, rolling five-year capital improvement program and that she was presenting the parks-related projects in that plan.

Palmer said the CIP is a planning tool that becomes binding only when year 1 is adopted with the budget, but that many parks projects are already in the five-year outlook. "We put together the public works department puts together a 5 year CIP every single year," Palmer said, adding that projects beyond year 1 remain fluid and are subject to scoping if they roll into the budget year.

Why it matters: the CIP identifies projects and potential funding sources that council and the community will be asked to prioritize during next year's budget cycle. Commissioners pressed staff for timing on design, community engagement and how previously developed plans will be reconciled with current work.

Key projects and funding

- Libby Park restrooms and paving: Palmer said restroom capacity at Libby Park is insufficient for current events and that $600,000 has been programmed across years 2 and 3 as a rough budget placeholder to address restroom…