Ojai council directs feasibility work for pool access, creates ad hoc committee

The Ojai City Council on Tuesday agreed to move quickly on several short‑term steps to expand community access to aquatics, directing staff to pursue a city‑run program, fund a Lane 4 feasibility study and evaluate a splash pad while coordinating with the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Staff presentations by Public Works (Mister Harvey and Miss Rivera) outlined five options for community aquatics at the new Nordhoff pool and elsewhere: a city‑run community aquatics program at Nordhoff High School, seed funding for a community feasibility study (Lane 4 fundraising), formation of an Ojai Valley special recreation district (parcel tax), splash pad installations and a capital campaign for a new pool. Harvey said staff could return within about 90 days with options and cost estimates for those directives.

Ojai Unified School District Superintendent Cheryl Knox urged collaboration with the district, stressing that while the Nordhoff Aquatic Center is available for community use at some times, state and bond funds were prioritized for student programming. “We are so eager to share our pool with the community,” Knox said, but she added the district needs a partner to underwrite programming costs if community lessons or evening hours are to be offered.

Public commenters, including representatives of a newly formed Ojai Community Pool Foundation, urged support for both immediate options to open the pool for evenings and weekends and longer‑term funding approaches. Speakers noted that operating costs for community access can reach figures such as $1 million annually and recommended a phased approach that starts with a feasibility study and short‑term programming while exploring long‑term funding.

After discussion about roles and overlap with the Parks and Recreation Commission and previous ad hoc work with the school district, the council voted to direct staff to pursue options 1, 2 and 4 (city program, Lane 4 study, splash pad) and asked staff to involve the Parks and Rec Commission. The council also created a council ad hoc to coordinate with the Parks and Rec ad hoc: Mayor Gilman and Councilmember Whitman will serve as the council representatives. The motion passed on roll call 4–1.

What comes next: Staff will return with refined cost estimates, a Lane 4 scope of work for a feasibility study, and a parks‑oriented review of potential splash‑pad sites and funding sources. The ad hoc committee will coordinate with the Parks & Rec Commission and the school district on scheduling, liability and shared‑use arrangements.

Vote at a glance: Council directed staff to pursue the limited set of options and established a two‑member ad hoc (Gilman, Whitman) to coordinate with Parks & Rec; motion passed 4–1.

Any agreement with the school district would be brought back to council for review and approval.