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
Community Participation (Unscheduled Items)
- A speaker requested the Council table the Royal Theater coordinator appointment due to missing compensation and contract details.
- Another speaker proposed renaming a street currently named after a political organizer in favor of a local educator or public safety chief.
- No motion was made or vote taken on these unscheduled items.
Ceremonial Calendar / Oath of Office
- The Council administered the oath of office to a new firefighter.
Proclamation – Women’s History Month
- A proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Women’s History Month was read and adopted.
Proclamation – International Dark Sky Week
- A proclamation designating April 13–20, 2026, as International Dark Sky Week was adopted.
- A coalition representative spoke in support, citing benefits to ecosystems, agriculture, and public health.
Management Reports
- The Interim City Administrator reported on Royal Theater construction status and the Measure A Program of Projects, including a proposed $400,000 annual street maintenance budget.
- The Director of Public Safety reported an increase in domestic violence reports, an updated ISO rating of five, and a drone apprehension partnership with Vandenberg Space Force Base.
- Human Resources reported the hiring of a Finance Director and Public Communications Fellow, along with upcoming recruitment for maintenance positions.
- Parks and Recreation announced the selection of Guadalupe for a Junior Giants league and scheduled maintenance days for the Jack O’Connell Park baseball field.
Public Hearing – Measure A Local Program of Projects
- Staff presented the 30-year plan for road repair and traffic relief managed by SBCAG, noting recent funds directed to the Highway 166 project.
- The Council adopted Resolution 2026-13 to approve the program.
Disposition of Items of Historical Value from the Royal Theater
- Staff recommended granting the Rancho de Guadalupe Historical Society the first option to accept historical items like the marquee and glass doors.
- Council members discussed the need for a clear disposition hierarchy and inventory of items.
- The Council approved the recommendation to grant the Historical Society the first option.
Selection of Capital Campaign Coordinator for the Royal Theater
- Staff recommended appointing Tom Bradenbury, citing his role in securing $9.9 million in funding, while an alternative RFP option was presented.
- Community speakers raised concerns regarding the lack of contract details and the candidate's non-local residence.
- The motion to appoint Tom Bradenbury as the Capital Campaign Coordinator failed.
Council Activity Reports
- Council members reported on attending community events, improving Royal Theater transparency, and supporting local parks and recreation initiatives.
Closed Session
- The Council voted to adjourn to executive session.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Community Participation (Unscheduled Items)
- Discussion: Two community members spoke regarding unscheduled items. One speaker expressed concern that the decision to appoint a capital campaign coordinator for the Royal Theater was premature, citing a lack of information regarding compensation, contract duration, and whether other candidates were considered. The speaker urged the Council to table the decision and request a staff report exploring other opportunities and financial impacts. Another speaker requested the renaming of a street currently named after a political organizer, citing media reports and personal hearsay, and suggested naming it after a local educator, police chief, or fire chief instead.
- Action: No motion was made or vote taken on these unscheduled items.
Agenda Item: Ceremonial Calendar / Oath of Office
- Discussion: The Council administered the oath of office to a new firefighter.
- Action: The oath was administered.
Agenda Item: Proclamation – Women’s History Month
- Discussion: A proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Women’s History Month was read.
- Action: The proclamation was adopted.
Agenda Item: Proclamation – International Dark Sky Week
- Discussion: A proclamation designating the week of April 13–20, 2026, as International Dark Sky Week was read. The proclamation cited the value of the natural night sky, the negative impacts of light pollution on health and the environment, and the proximity of the Guadalupe Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. A representative from a county-wide coalition of organizations spoke in support of the recognition, noting benefits to ecosystems, agriculture, and public health.
- Action: The proclamation was adopted.
Agenda Item: Consent Calendar
- Discussion: The Council reviewed the consent calendar items. No items were pulled for individual discussion.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar.
- Vote: Passed.
Agenda Item: Management Reports
- Interim City Administrator: Reported on the status of the Royal Theater construction, including earthwork, foundation repairs, and the review of the marquee. The report noted that the SCADA system is awaiting a server part for installation, which is expected to be completed by the next meeting. The administrator also reported on the Measure A Program of Projects, noting that the city has met its maintenance of effort requirements and is seeking to adopt a program to spend approximately $400,000 annually on street maintenance and repairs, with specific percentages allocated for pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure and sidewalk maintenance.
- Director of Public Safety: Reported on recent crime statistics, noting an increase in domestic violence reports compared to the previous year. The Chief explained that the department does not have the staffing or funds to provide wraparound services but provides information on local nonprofits and ensures Child Services are involved when necessary. The Chief also reported that the city’s ISO rating has been updated to a five. Additionally, the Chief mentioned a partnership with Vandenberg Space Force Base regarding drone apprehension and a scheduled fire drill at Escalante Meadows on April 8.
- Human Resources Manager: Reported on recruitment updates, including the hiring of a Finance Director and a Public Communications Fellow. The manager noted that the Fire Captain is in the background investigation process and recruitment for two temporary maintenance positions will begin shortly. The next employee training session (CPR, first aid, fire extinguisher) is scheduled for April 28.
- Parks and Recreation: Reported on recent events, including the return of ceramics classes, a movie night, and a father-daughter dance. The department announced the selection of Guadalupe for a Junior Giants baseball and softball league, with registration starting April 1. Maintenance days for the baseball field at Jack O’Connell Park are scheduled for April 4 and 18. The department also announced a "Cycle Mania" event at Leroy Park on May 2.
Agenda Item: Public Hearing – Measure A Local Program of Projects
- Discussion: Staff presented the Measure A Local Program of Projects, which was voted on in 2008 for road repair and traffic relief. The program is part of a 30-year plan managed by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). The city’s share is allocated based on need, with a requirement to maintain a certain percentage for street maintenance, pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, and sidewalks. Staff noted that a significant portion of recent funds was directed to the Highway 166 project.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution 2026-13.
- Vote: Passed.
Agenda Item: Disposition of Items of Historical Value from the Royal Theater
- Discussion: Staff presented a recommendation to grant the Rancho de Guadalupe Historical Society the first option to accept items of historical value removed from the Royal Theater during construction, such as the marquee and glass doors. Staff explained that if the Historical Society declines an item, it would return to the City for disposition under the surplus property policy, potentially involving other nonprofits or educational organizations. Council members discussed the need for a clear hierarchy of disposition options and an inventory of items. A member of the Historical Society clarified that the board has not yet formally agreed to take any items and will discuss the matter at their next meeting. Another member of the Historical Society expressed support for the option to take items, noting the organization’s mission to preserve local history.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to approve the recommendation to grant the Historical Society the first option to accept items of historical value.
- Vote: Passed.
Agenda Item: Selection of Capital Campaign Coordinator for the Royal Theater
- Discussion: Staff recommended appointing Tom Bradenbury as the Capital Campaign Coordinator, noting his existing role as Project Manager and his involvement in securing approximately $9.9 million in funding. An alternative option was presented to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the position, with Bradenbury remaining as Project Manager during the transition. Bradenbury presented a strategy for the capital campaign, including the formation of a "Friends of the Royal Theater" volunteer group, the sale of T-shirts and plaques, naming rights opportunities, and a donation board. He reported a recent $50,000 donation from the Doebs Fund for Performing Arts. Community members spoke on the item. One speaker expressed concern that the decision was premature due to a lack of information on compensation and contract details, urging the Council to table the decision. Another speaker, a filmmaker and former grant partner, suggested that while Bradenbury has been instrumental, his non-local residence could be a hindrance to community engagement, and recommended considering a local coordinator or a collaborative approach. A third speaker, a member of the Historical Society, supported Bradenbury’s appointment, citing his deep involvement with the project.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to appoint Tom Bradenbury as the Capital Campaign Coordinator.
- Vote: Failed. (The Council did not approve the appointment; the alternative option of an RFP was not formally moved or voted on in the provided transcript segment, but the motion to appoint failed.)
Agenda Item: Council Activity Reports
- Discussion: Council members provided updates on their activities. One member reported attending a pesticide forum and a Planned Parenthood event, and noted that the county is bringing back a ballot box to Guadalupe. Another member reported on efforts to improve transparency regarding the Royal Theater project, including meetings with staff to answer community questions and obtain financial projections. A third member reported on the first pottery class and efforts to improve the baseball field at Jack O’Connell Park, including a donation drive for soil and equipment.
Agenda Item: Adjournment to Executive Session
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn to executive session.
- Vote: Passed.