the official newsletter of the ojai valley chamber of...

OjaiBUSINESS JOURNALThe Official Newsletter of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce

Volume 11 | Issue 4 | September / October 2015

Ojai Mayor Severo Lara was born in Ventura and has lived in the Ojai Valley his entire life. He was a youth founder of the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation. He served as a member of the Ojai Recreation Commission for one year until he was elected to the Ojai City Council. He is the owner of JL & Sons Landscaping Inc. Lara has served on the Ojai City Council member for three years and has served as Mayor of Ojai for one year. His term as Mayor ends December 31, 2015. One of Lara’s top priorities as an Ojai City Council Member has been improving the quality of life for families in the valley.

THE INTERVIEW:

Ojai Business Journal: What is your opinion of the business climate in Ojai today?

Mayor Severo Lara: I think the business climate in Ojai is good. The Ojai Chamber of Commerce and the Ojai Visitor’s Bureau are successfully promoting local tourism. The Community Development Department

CITY OF OJAIs t a t i s t i c s

TOT

TransienT Occupany Tax fOr april 2015$276,820 rec’d in May 2015 (34% increase compared to April 2014)

TransienT Occupany Tax fOr May 2015$291,080 rec’d in June 2015 (2% increase compared to May 2014)

TransienT Occupany Tax fOr June 2015$282,435 rec’d in July 2015 (1% increase compared to June 2014)

TransienT Occupany Tax TO DaTe

through June 2015$1,511,167 (10% increase year over year 2014)

sales Tax cOllecTiOn Jan. 1 – March. 31, 2015: $452,186

(2% Increase year over year FY 13-14 and includes the Triple Flip payment of $220,126)

sales tax

Ojai Mayor Severo Lara standing in front of City Hall

“Ojai’s Economic Outlook is Good” Interview with Ojai Mayor Severo Lara

by Reynold Akison

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The Official Newsletter of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce


OJAI BUSINESS JOURNAL

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has issued more building permits this year than in 2014, boosting construction in Ojai and helping to create jobs. But we still need to create more jobs; there’s always a need for more jobs.

OBJ: What would you say to a roomful of Ojai Chamber members about the Ojai Valley’s economic outlook for the next few years?

Mayor Lara: Over all, I think Ojai is doing well economically. Perhaps the City could do more. For instance, the City’s Sandwich Board Ordinance prohibits businesses from putting sandwich boards in front of their stores. But we get conflicting messages about their use from merchants and residents. There is an interest in making more areas adjacent to the core downtown district available for business, using the “live-where-you-work” concept of Village Mixed Use zoning. This might be an incentives to new businesses, and could spur more growth of business in the city.

OBJ: How would you describe Ojai City Government’s current financial condition?

Mayor Lara: The City’s financial condition is very good. We had a surplus for the city budget for 2015-2016. We allocated all of the surplus to community groups (Arts Commission, the Ojai Museum, Green Coalition). One issue we have to remember is the need to allocate money to the City’s retirement fund. We have an increase in employees who will become eligible for retirement benefits in the next 5-7 years. This year we’ve added an additional $100,000 to the City’s retirement pool.

OBJ: What about Short-Term / Transient

Rentals in residential zones; when do you expect the Council to produce an ordinance that will address this issue?

Mayor Lara: Transient rentals have been a hot topic. It’s the one issue I’ve received the most inquiries and comments about

since I was elected to the Council. I think we’ll have an o r d i n a n c e by the end of this year or in early 2016. We are

waiting for a report from Steve Alexander, who was hired to facilitate the Transient Rental Workshop held on July 2nd. His report will summarize the issues and concerns the public has and offer solutions that will be based, in part, on what other communities have done with transient rentals. We also have an ad-hoc committee that continues to talk with community members about the issue. Responses are running 50-50 pro-and-con to allowing such rentals.

OBJ: Will transient rentals need to be licensed and inspected?

Mayor Lara: I think a majority on the City Council, as well as other City officials, want mandatory licensing and inspection of transient rentals as part of any ordinance.

OBJ: Are there any estimates about how much bed tax revenue goes uncollected from transient rentals? How would future bed tax collections be handled?

Mayor Lara: I’m not sure of the amount of lost bed tax revenue. The City can’t estimate a figure at this time because there are too many unknowns.

OBJ: What about creating more affordable housing in Ojai? How is the City tackling this need?

Mayor Lara: We are currently looking into a plan to build rental units on City property. A majority of the City Council supports this effort. We’re working with the non-profit Peoples’ Self-Help Housing which has 45-years of experience creating and managing affordable housing on California’s Central Coast. We expect to receive a plan from them by the end of October. Peoples’ Self-Help Housing would assist the City in obtaining an affordable housing grant from the State.

OBJ: The City will be taking over the management of Libbey Bowl, how will that work?

Mayor Lara: We’re not sure yet. We have an ad-hoc committee studying the issue now. The Libby Foundation did a great job starting up and initially running the re-built venue, but lately they’ve been struggling. They’ve had challenges bringing in big-name acts to the Bowl. When we find out more, we’ll have a better idea of what direction to take. But everyone on City Council understands that Libbey Bowl represents an Ojai tradition that residents and the City want to continue, and we will do so.

MAYOR LARA continued from page 1

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StaffScott Eicher - Chief Executive Officer | Norma Gonzalez - Executive Assistant

Graphic Design by Olga Singer • Graphics Unlimited / (858) 485-1747

Victoria Adam Ojai Valley Directory

Ryan Blatz Ryan Blatz Law

David Brubaker Ojai Community Bank

Jill Olivares Allstate Insurance

Eric Wilde Coldwell Banker

Eric Zacher Rains

The Ojai Business Journal is a bi-monthly publication of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce which is solely responsible for its contents. Information for issues should be diected to:

The Ojai Valley Chamber of CommercePO Box 1134, Ojai, CA 93024

TEL 805.646.8126 or FAX [email protected]

Directors

President Olga Jones Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.Past President Emily Wilson Heritage FinancialTreasurer David Junod David Junod, CPA

b o a r d o f d i r e c t o r s

calendarSEPTEMBER 2015Wednesday, September 16, 23, 30Morning Business Referral Group Meeting @ Eggs N Potatoes 7:15 AM

Lunch Business Referral Group Meeting @ Ojai Community Bank, Noon to 1PM

Tuesday, September 22City Council Meeting 7PM Council Chambers, City Hall

Sunday, September 27Growing our Local Economy with Paul Edwards@Ojai Valley Women’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave., 1-3:00PM

Thursday, September 24Chamber Mixer @ Ojai Valley Women’s Club441 E. Ojai Ave., 5:30-7PM, 646-8126

OCTOBER 2015Tuesday - Sunday, October 6 - 11Libbey Park Playground Project! 8AM - 8:30PM Volunteer to help by calling 805.646.5581.

Wednesday, October 7, 14, 21, 28Morning Business Referral Group Meeting @ Eggs N Potatoes 7:15 AM

Lunch Business Referral Group Meeting @ Ojai Community Bank, Noon to 1PM

Thursday, October 8Chamber Board & OVB Meeting @ Ojai Musical Festival Conf. Room, Noon; 646-8126

Tuesday, October 13, 27City Council Meeting 7PM, Council Chambers, City Hall

Wednesday, October 14The Future of Energy: Energy & The Environment; Crown Plaza Ventura Beach; 8-11:30AM Tickets $40 incl. breakfast 646-8126

Thursday, October 22Chamber Mixer @ Ojai Olive Oil181 Ladera Rd., 5:30-7PM, 646-8126

Saturday, October 31st - Halloween

mark yourOBJ: Is there anything we haven’t touched on that you’d like to add?

Mayor Lara: I’d like to say that I’ve been very impressed with the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber listens to local businesses owners and understands the needs of the community. They raise good and important issues. They have a prestigious reputation.

Contact Mayor Severo Lara at: Ojai City Hall, 401 S. Ventura Street, Ojai, CA 93023. Phone: 805-646-5581; email: [email protected]; Ojai City Hall website: http://ojaicity.org/.

In The FieldBianca Roe730 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai805) 633) [email protected] Retail

Providence OjaiMatt Taylor601 N. Montgomery. Ojai805) 646) [email protected] Healthcare

chamber membersNew

MAYOR LARA continued from page 2




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premium sponsorGala 2015

For the second year in a row, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Devel-opment (GO-Biz) has awarded the Small Business Develop-

ment Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties (SBDC) matching grants for services. The $65,000 in funding will be used to provide one-on-one, no-cost consulting to area firms with the goal of assisting their access to new loans and equity investment. “In addition to being named the most beautiful county in America, Ventura has a thriving small business community that will benefit greatly from additional resources at their local SBDC,” said GO-Biz Small Business Advocate Jesse Torres. “We look forward to seeing EDC-VC expand its reach to the small business community and help them attain the capital they need to grow and flourish.” Housed at the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura-County, the SBDC was one of 41 centers in the state to receive a share of the $2 million GO-Biz award. EDC-VC’s Center has nearly doubled its annual Small Business Administration contract goal for new capital infusion, making it extremely competitive in the selec-tion process. The SBDC provided technical assistance on capital access to more than 250 clients, for a total of 1,639 hours of client advising, from July 2014 to June 2015. This generated over $8 million in new business lending. The SBDC expects to match or exceed these num-bers with the funding for this year’s activities. “The funding honors the hard work of SBDC Director Ray Bow-man, Loan Officer Marvin Boateng, our staff and our consultants,” said Bruce Stenslie, EDC-VC president/CEO. “It’s because of their efforts that we can assist even more businesses throughout our service area.” The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Develop-ment (GO-Biz) serves as California’s single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, reten-tion and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, interna-tional trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. For more information visit: www.business.ca.gov The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job cre-ation, increase in sales, capital investment, jobs retained and busi-ness started. EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura

GO-Biz Awards EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center Funds

County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Develop-ment Center, loan programs, manufacturing outreach and interna-tional trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24 or [email protected]. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.




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Gala 2015 premium sponsor

CHAMBER m i x e r

Vicki Breen of Derby and Derby with Summer of Enhanced Day Spa Boutique

Soni Wright from the Ojai StudioArtists

more photos on page 8




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Gala 2015 premium sponsor

Ventura Community Bank, a division of Ojai Community Bank, announced today that it will be moving its offices to a new location in downtown Ventura during the first quarter of 2016. The Bank has entered into a lease at 89 S. California Street (at the northwest corner of Santa Clara and California) subject to regulatory approval. “The downtown location is a perfect location in the heart of Ven-tura with easy freeway access and access to our business community,” Dave Brubaker, President/CEO commented. “We love downtown and are looking forward to becoming a larger part of its success as we continue to serve our community.” At a time when larger banks are removing lenders from branch

locations, Ventura is beefing up its lending services by providing lend-ers in the actual branch location. “That is a key difference in our busi-ness strategy. We also go to our customer’s place of business to make it more convenient to meet with us.” commented George Tabata, Vice President/Commercial Lending Officer. Ventura will also provide all the expected customer amenities including Electronic Banking, Busi-ness and Real Estate loans, and Construction Loans. “People need to talk to people, not computers or call centers. We pride ourselves in always answering the phone, knowing your name and willing to assist you however we can.” continues Brubaker. “We’re old school with hands-on customer service, but have the technology that banking customers need.” “We’re a hometown bank, most of the staff has grown up here, and we look forward to our friends and family visiting,” added Brubaker. “We want to make a difference in the lives of our custom-ers and look forward to spreading our good works to others.” The bank will provide customer parking in the rear of the build-

Ventura Community Bank Move Planned For Downtowning. Parking is also available on the street. New deposits are welcome. Ojai Community Bank, a subsidiary of OCB Bancorp has total assets of $188 million, and was founded in March 2005, now with locations in Ojai, Santa Paula, Ventura and Santa Barbara. The bank specializes in working with small and medium businesses and local depositors to create sustainable relationships.

Ventura Community Bank, new location, at northwest corner of Santa Clara and California Streets, in downtown Ventura.

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premium sponsorsGala 2015

ABOUT VENTURA COMMUNITY BANKVentura Community Bank, a division of Ojai Community Bank, is a wholly owned subsidiary of OCB Bancorp, a locally owned and operated holding company, and the parent company of Ojai Com-munity Bank (formed in 2005). Ventura Community Bank offers a full array of banking products and services to businesses, profes-sionals, individuals and commercial property owners. The Bank is dedicated to providing exceptional personal service and access to

banking decision makers. The stock is publicly available under the symbol OJCB.

continued from page 6Ventura Community Bank




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Entrepreneur and international busi-ness professional, Curtis Crispin has joined EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Coun-ties as the center’s new international pro-gram specialist. Crispin, who is a former SBDC intern, will help coordinate all in-ternational client intakes and consulting appointments, as well as manage training events and workshops for all international activity in the Los Angeles region. “As an intern, Curtis impressed me as a high achiever who’s personable and well-rounded,” said Ray Bowman, SBDC direc-tor. “He has a deep understanding of global affairs and various cultures and easily con-nects with people of all backgrounds.” Crispin has served in various positions within the hospitality, sales, manufacturing and nonprofit sectors. He was the 2014 San-ta Barbara City College Enterprise Launch grand prize winner of $1,000 for his busi-ness plan, pitches and final presentation on a 3D printing manufacturing project titled Phoenix Sunglasses. He was also named an

SBCC Scheinfeld Center of Entrepreneur-ship Aspiring Entrepreneur. In addition to the SBDC, Crispin serves as the career seeker coordinator for Work-Bubble, a startup that uses a combination of proprietary algorithms, assessments and analysis to match employers and job seekers. A Santa Barbara resident, Crispin holds an associate’s degree in international busi-ness from Santa Barbara City College and is

pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business from Thomas Edison State College. The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating busi-nesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital in-vestment, jobs retained and business started. EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organi-zation that serves as a business-to-govern-ment liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Busi-ness Development Center, loan programs, manufacturing outreach and international trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, con-tact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24 or [email protected]. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.

EDC-VC Hires International Program Specialist

Curtis Crispin

CHAMBER m i x e r

Sean and Mary Kelley of David Whipple Goldsmith

Eric Elshere and Ciji Lemmex of Pacific Western Bank

Martha Dowden and Lynda Nahra of Pacific Western Bank, hosts of

last month’s mixer

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