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Council approves contract planner to monitor project compliance and asks staff to study permanent role
Summary
Council authorized an amendment to the Willdan contract to continue a contract planner (project compliance coordinator) performing conditions-of-approval checks and directed staff to study whether to convert the role to a permanent city position.
The Ojai City Council approved a contract amendment to retain a planner from Willdan to serve as a project compliance coordinator for post-approval monitoring and construction compliance, and directed staff to study the merits of making the role a permanent position.
Community Development Director Lucas Seibert said the contract planner has been working with the city since October and is providing valuable "boots on the street" compliance checks for projects, including conditions of approval and post-construction obligations. Seibert described the current arrangement as a contract amendment to Willdan beyond previously budgeted services.
Councilmembers debated the costs and trade-offs of contracting versus hiring an in‑house employee. City Manager Harvey and staff said the city could recruit for a permanent role while continuing the contract to avoid service gaps; they committed to bring a comparative analysis of contracting versus hiring back to council in 2026.
Public commenters and council members said increased compliance oversight responds to public concerns about projects that did not follow conditions and could create a culture of greater adherence to rules. The council’s motion to accept the contracted compliance position and direct staff to report back on a permanent position was seconded and passed on roll call.
