Meeting Summary
Present: Jr., Villegas, Hernandez, Julian
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Enterprise Fleet Management
- Staff presented data showing 44% of the city's 27 vehicles are over 10 years old.
- Two replacement options were proposed, with Option A recommended to meet 2035 electric mandates.
- Council discussed charging infrastructure and financial implications without taking a formal vote.
Ordinance 2026-526
- A public hearing was held to add Chapter 18.59 to the Municipal Code with no public comment.
- The council confirmed CEQA does not apply and waived the first reading of the ordinance.
- The ordinance was continued to March 10, 2026, for a second reading and adoption.
Tentative Tract Map 29,007-3-2025-053-TPM
- Staff recommended approval to adjust lot lines for four parcels while maintaining joint building ownership.
- Conditions included a six-month property cleanup requirement and a variance for lot depth-to-width ratio.
- The council approved the tentative tract map following a public hearing with no comment.
Design Review Permit 2025-058-DR
- A public hearing reviewed a proposal for two new greenhouses totaling 33,768 square feet.
- Staff recommended approval with a condition requiring a landscape plan prior to building permit review.
- The council adopted Resolution 2026-10, approving the permit and a CEQA general exemption.
ISO Public Protection Classification
- The report detailed a rating drop from Class 4 to Class 10 due to fire suppression staffing deficiencies.
- Corrective measures discussed include hiring additional staff and implementing a firefighter intern program.
- A submitted staffing plan aims to improve the rating to Class 5 in the future.
Royal Theater Oversight Committee
- Council discussed options for an oversight committee, including non-Brown Act and Brown Act structures.
- Concerns were raised regarding community trust and the necessity of a formal committee.
- Resolution 2026-04 was adopted to establish the committee for the Royal Theater project.
Closed Session
- The council discussed regional planning efforts and population projections through 2060.
- A motion was made and passed to enter executive session for further discussion.
Full summary
Public Comment and General Discussion
- During the public comment period, concerns were raised regarding the city's financial status, specifically an $8 million annual budget with a $1.7 million deficit. Comments addressed the lack of transparency regarding the Royal Theatre budget and grant fund accounting, the SCADA system emergency extension, and the long-term maintenance costs associated with the Urban Forestry Plan. Support was expressed for the return of Annette Munoz, while opposition was voiced against creating a Brown Act-exempt advisory group for the Royal Theatre.
Item 6: Enterprise Fleet Management Presentation
- A presentation was delivered by Enterprise Fleet Management regarding the city's vehicle fleet, which consists of 27 vehicles, 44% of which are 10 years or older. Two replacement options were proposed: Option A, replacing eight vehicles in Year 1 (including six electric vehicles), and Option B, replacing four vehicles in Year 1 and four in Year 2. The presenter recommended Option A to maximize equity recovery and align with 2035 electric vehicle mandates. Council members and staff discussed the transition to electric vehicles, charging infrastructure availability, and financial implications. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this informational item.
Item 7: Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar was presented for approval. Items 7B (Warrants), 7D (Guadalupe Urban Forest), and 7F were removed from the calendar for separate discussion. A motion was made to approve the remaining items on the consent calendar; the motion was seconded and passed. Subsequently, a motion was made to approve Items 7B, 7D, and 7F individually; the motion was seconded and passed.
Item 8: Interim City Administrator Report
- The Interim City Administrator provided a management report, which included confirmation of a grant received for the renovation of the Senior Center. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this informational item.
Item 9: Director of Public Safety Report
- The Director of Public Safety provided a management report. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this informational item.
Item 10: Recreation Services Manager Report
- The Recreation Services Manager provided a management report. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this informational item.
Item 11: Ordinance 2026-526 (Public Hearing)
- A public hearing was held regarding Ordinance 2026-526, which adds Chapter 18.59 to the Guadalupe Municipal Code. The hearing was opened and closed with no public comment. A motion was made to confirm that CEQA does not apply, introduce the ordinance by title only, waive the first reading, and continue the ordinance to March 10, 2026, for a second reading and adoption. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed.
Item 12: Tentative Tract Map 29,007-3-2025-053-TPM (Public Hearing)
- A public hearing was held to consider a tentative tract map to adjust lot lines between five parcels, resulting in four lots on a 0.087-acre site at 868-878 Guadalupe Street. The proposal involves adjusting a lot line beneath a co-owned building to allow separate control of building portions while maintaining joint ownership of the structure. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including a requirement for property cleanup within six months and a finding that one lot meets a 10% variance for depth-to-width ratio. The hearing was opened and closed with no public comment. A motion was made to approve the tentative tract map; the motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed.
Item 13: Design Review Permit 2025-058-DR (Public Hearing)
- A public hearing was held to review a design review permit for the construction of two new greenhouses totaling 33,768 square feet at the Pan American Seed Company campus (400 Obispo Street). The project includes a new stormwater basin and landscaping. Staff recommended approval with a condition requiring a landscape plan prior to building permit review, noting the project is exempt under a CEQA general exemption. The hearing was opened and closed with no public comment. A motion was made to adopt Resolution 2026-10, approving the design review permit and the CEQA exemption; the motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the resolution passed.
Item 14: ISO Public Protection Classification (PPC) Report
- An informational report was presented regarding the Insurance Services Office (ISO) PPC summary. The report detailed the city's rating drop from Class 4 to Class 10 due to deficiencies in fire suppression staffing and deployment analysis. Corrective measures discussed included hiring additional staff, implementing a firefighter intern program, and establishing a protocol for future ISO reviews. A staffing plan was noted as submitted and accepted, with an estimated rating improvement to Class 5. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this informational item.
Item 15: Royal Theater Expenditure Report
- An expenditure report for the Royal Theater project was presented, detailing spending through February 1, 2026. The report included a breakdown of expenditures by fiscal year and addressed specific invoices. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this informational item.
Item 16: Royal Theater Oversight Committee
- Discussion focused on the creation of an Oversight Committee for the Royal Theater project. Options discussed included a two-member non-Brown Act committee composed of council members, a multi-member Brown Act committee, or alternative community engagement methods such as quarterly forums. Concerns were raised regarding community trust, applicant qualifications, and the necessity of a formal committee versus existing oversight mechanisms. A motion was made to adopt Resolution 2026-04 to establish the committee; the motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the resolution passed.
Item 17: Future Agenda Items and Executive Session
- Discussion included an update on Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) regional planning efforts, including population projections through 2060 and transportation projects. A request was made to add specific SBCAG data presentations to a future agenda. A motion was made to go into executive session; the motion was seconded and passed.
Additional Updates and Discussions
- Police Department and Special Events: The Police Chief addressed community concerns regarding accident reporting to Caltrans. Discussion covered the timeline for the "Las Mujeres" and "Psychomania" events, as well as the permitting process for the "Touch of Style" car show, including permit costs and vendor participation.
- Royal Theatre and Project Updates: Staff provided updates on the Royal Theatre construction, noting ongoing earthwork, reconstruction of the front wall, and interior framing. Plans to redesign the marquee using modern materials while maintaining historical aesthetics were discussed. Updates were also given on the park project and the 303 Obispo project, which experienced delays due to water issues. The caboose at the train station was moved to the Santa Maria Valley Railroad for restoration. Staff announced the award of a Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant to fund two 12-month limited-term positions.
- Financial and Grant Management: Council members questioned financial reporting regarding invoices for Townsend Public Affairs and other grant management services, raising concerns about potential double payments and the status of a $170,000 grant. Staff clarified that Townsend was hired to assist with EDA and state legislature grants and noted the city is in a transition period regarding project management.