Documents — Ojai Watch

WHAT THE RECORD SHOWS

The City selected Dignity Moves without first testing the market through a meaningful competitive process.
The Development Management Agreement placed limited financial risk on Dignity Moves while leaving Ojai exposed to cost increases, scope reductions, and future operating obligations.
Environmental concerns were not fully resolved before major contractual commitments were approved.
Repeated questions about bidding, public notice, contract safeguards, and financial controls were raised before and after approval.
The public record shows a pattern of decisions made before key financial, legal, and environmental questions were answered.

ALL PRIMARY RECORDS AND ANALYSIS CONCERNING OJAI’S CABIN VILLAGE PROJECT

CLAY CREASEY RESEARCH, ANALYSIS AND CORRESPONDENCE

March 9, 2025 – Independent Analysis of Alternatives to Dignity Moves
Submitted to the Ojai City Council, identifying qualified nonprofit housing developers and providing comparative information regarding alternatives to Dignity Moves.

April 18, 2025 – Inquiry to the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission
Requested guidance concerning Ojai's proposed procurement process and procedures for filing a complaint under California public contracting law.

April 19, 2025 – Supporting Documentation Submitted to the State Controller's Office
Submitted the ERF grant application, City Council minutes, comparative financial analysis, and supporting documentation for review of procurement compliance issues.

May 4, 2025 – Request for Procurement Compliance Review
Requested assistance from California public contracting compliance officials concerning Ojai's proposed procurement process.

May 9, 2025 – Analysis of the City's Procurement Position
Evaluated the City's explanation of its contracting approach and analyzed applicable California competitive bidding requirements.

May 25, 2025 – Independent Review of the Development Management Agreement
Submitted to the Ojai City Council before the contract vote, this clause-by-clause review identified significant environmental, procurement, financial, contractual, and project management issues relevant to the Council's consideration of the agreement.

June 10, 2025 – Analysis of Ojai Municipal Code Section 8-4.09
Reviewed Ojai's purchasing ordinance and its application to the Development Management Agreement, including a request for the City's legal interpretation.

June 11, 2025 – Review of the City's Sole-Provider Determination
Analyzed the factual basis for the City's determination that Dignity Moves was the only qualified provider.

June 27, 2025 – Analysis of Request for Qualifications Notice Requirements
Reviewed statutory public notice requirements applicable to the Request for Qualifications process and recommended corrective action before bid submissions were opened.

June 30, 2025 – Follow-up Procurement Compliance Inquiry
Requested documentation confirming compliance with California's newspaper publication and minimum solicitation-period requirements after revisions were made to the City's Request for Qualifications schedule.

August 27, 2025 – Comparison of Public Statements and Contractual Obligations
Compared public statements made by City officials with the Development Management Agreement and supporting technical reports regarding project costs, contractual obligations, financial risk, and environmental conditions.

NO RESPONSE FROM CITY HALL

Despite repeated written questions and requests for clarification, City officials did not provide substantive responses to the emails reproduced here. The absence of a response is itself part of the record.

GOVERNANCE AND DECISION MAKING

Ojai City Council Minutes – March 25, 2025
Official meeting minutes documenting City Council deliberations and action directing negotiation of the Development Management Agreement with Dignity Moves.

Resolution No. 25-19
City Council resolution approving execution of the Development Management Agreement and documenting the City Council's findings supporting approval of the agreement.

Process to Amend the Location of the Cabin Village
Analysis of the legal and procedural mechanisms available to relocate the Cabin Village project through future City Council action.

Comparison of Public Statements and Contractual Obligations
Analysis comparing statements made during public meetings with the Development Management Agreement and supporting technical reports regarding project costs, contractual obligations, financial risk, and environmental conditions.

GOVERNANCE

Resolution No. 25-19
City Council resolution approving execution of the Development Management Agreement and documenting the City Council's findings supporting approval of the agreement.

Process to Amend the Location of the Cabin Village
Analysis of the legal and procedural mechanisms available to relocate the Cabin Village project through future City Council action.

GRAND JURY

Grand Jury Complaint – April 13, 2025
Formal complaint requesting Ventura County Grand Jury review of procurement practices, contracting decisions, governance, and administration of the Cabin Village project.

Ventura County Grand Jury Report
Official Ventura County Grand Jury report.

Monterey County Grand Jury Report
Reference Grand Jury report concerning local government oversight and public administration.

PUBLIC RECORDS

California Public Records Act (PRA) Initial Results
Summary of records received in response to California Public Records Act requests concerning procurement, grant administration, environmental review, Dignity Moves, project management, and related City actions.

PROCUREMENT AND BIDDING

Independent Comparative Financial Analysis of Dignity Moves and Peer Nonprofit Housing Developers
Independent financial analysis comparing Dignity Moves with established nonprofit housing developers, identifying qualified alternative providers and documenting evidence relevant to competitive procurement and fiscal stewardship.

Independent Analysis of Alternatives to Dignity Moves
Independent research identifying experienced nonprofit housing developers capable of delivering permanent supportive housing projects and evaluating alternatives to Dignity Moves.

Anthony Morelli Correspondence – June 27, 2025
Construction-industry compliance correspondence discussing statutory procurement requirements governing the City's Request for Qualifications process.

Anthony Morelli Correspondence – June 30, 2025
Follow-up compliance correspondence addressing publication requirements, statutory notice periods, and procurement procedures applicable to the Cabin Village project.

CIFAC Response Regarding the Permanent Supportive Housing Project
Formal guidance concerning California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act requirements, competitive bidding procedures, project delivery methods, and procurement compliance.

Email Describing Alternatives to Dignity Moves
Supporting correspondence identifying alternative nonprofit housing developers and documenting information relevant to competitive procurement.

DIGNITY MOVES CONTRACT

Dignity Moves Form 990 – Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024
Federal nonprofit tax return reporting organizational revenues, expenses, executive compensation, assets, and financial performance. The reported financial results formed the basis for an independent comparative analysis of nonprofit housing developers, which found Dignity Moves' reported operating margin to be substantially higher than most of the selected peer organizations, raising questions about the value of a competitive procurement process.

Development Management Agreement – May 27, 2025
Executed agreement between the City of Ojai and Dignity Moves establishing project management responsibilities, compensation, scope of services, contractual obligations, and allocation of project risk.

Independent Review of the Development Management Agreement
Submitted to the Ojai City Council before the May 27, 2025 contract vote, this clause-by-clause review identified significant environmental, procurement, financial, contractual, and project management issues relevant to the Council's consideration of the agreement.

Comparison of Public Statements and the Development Management Agreement
Analysis comparing public statements made by City officials with the executed agreement and supporting technical reports concerning project costs, contractual obligations, financial risk, and environmental conditions.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Cabin Village Emergency Access Driveway Site Plan
Engineering plans illustrating the proposed emergency access driveway, site circulation, fire department access, and related public safety improvements.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SITE SAFETY

California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Oversight of Toxic Remediation at the Maintenance Yard Site
Examines questions surrounding the removal of California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) oversight from investigation and remediation of the Maintenance Yard site without formal City Council action, and the implications for environmental accountability and residential development.

CABIN VILLAGE PROJECT

Ojai Planning Commission Administrative Report – February 19, 2025
Planning Commission staff report evaluating the proposed Cabin Village project, including site planning, environmental considerations, design review, and recommended conditions of approval.

ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION FUNDING (ERF) GRANT

ERF-3-R Notice of Funding Availability
Defines the State of California's eligibility requirements, funding limitations, program objectives, and administrative rules governing the Encampment Resolution Funding program.

Ojai Administrative Report – January 23, 2024
City staff report recommending participation in the ERF grant program and authorizing submission of Ojai's Cabin Village funding application.

ERF-3-R Grant Application – City of Ojai
Complete application submitted to the State of California, including the project narrative, implementation strategy, development budget, operating budget, and supporting documentation.

California ERF Grant Agreement
Executed agreement establishing the City's funding, reporting, reimbursement, compliance, and performance obligations under the ERF grant program.

Ojai ERF Grant Update Administrative Report
Administrative update summarizing project implementation, expenditures, milestones, grant compliance, and actions requested of the City Council.GOVERNING LAW

Ojai Municipal Code Chapter 4 – Purchasing System
Establishes Ojai's purchasing requirements, including competitive bidding procedures, professional service contracts, purchasing authority, and public inspection provisions governing City procurement.