Meeting Summary
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
Women's History Month Proclamation
- The Council recognized March as Women's History Month and March 3 as Equal Pay Day.
- Statistics on the local gender pay gap were presented alongside recommendations for equity.
- The Mayor signed the proclamation, which was accepted by the AAUW Lompoc-Vandenberg Branch.
City Manager Report
- Staff provided updates on upcoming community events including the Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Break Camp.
- A public safety warning was issued regarding a scam involving fake city employees conducting water inspections.
- Research on the time clock system will continue and be revisited at the April meeting.
Consent Calendar
- The voucher register item was pulled for separate discussion, and the graffiti control ordinance was deferred for modification.
- The remaining six items, including the check register and purchasing authority reduction, were approved.
- Council Member Starbuck recused himself from the Chamber of Commerce check item due to a financial interest.
2025 Energy Code Solar and Battery Mandate
- Staff analysis indicated the state mandate would result in a net financial loss for homeowners and the utility.
- The Council directed staff to file a waiver request with the California Energy Commission.
- Staff was also instructed to prepare a recommendation for an in-lieu fee structure to fund capital improvements.
FY 2024-2025 Financial Audit
- The external auditor issued an unmodified opinion but noted a significant deficiency in internal controls.
- The general fund balance increased by $370,000 to approximately $12 million.
- The Council authorized the City Attorney to investigate legal options for recouping credit card processing fees.
- An amended page was added to the report to provide context on development impact fee modifications.
Police Department Drug Enforcement Update
- Data showed 71 drug-related incidents with peak activity occurring on weekends in specific downtown areas.
- The department outlined strategies including directed patrols and the redirection of the Special Investigations Unit.
- Upcoming initiatives include the deployment of a drone and the hiring of new officers.
SoCalGas Franchise Agreement
- A SoCalGas representative discussed the company's regional commitment and a pilot program for decarbonization.
- No formal motions were taken regarding the franchise agreement or the pilot program.
Skate Park Project
- Public commenters requested a delay of the RFP citing outdated design and safety concerns.
- Staff noted that the project is bound by grant deadlines and an executed building permit.
- No formal motion was made, though a council member agreed to follow up on community input.
2025 General Plan Annual Report
- Staff presented the report, highlighting staffing limitations that stalled progress on certain implementation measures.
- The Council voted to accept the report and proactively investigate an emergency road crossing over the San Ynez River.
- The motion to pursue the McLaughlin Crossing investigation passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Invocation
- The regular City Council meeting was called to order on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. A roll call confirmed the presence of all council members and the Mayor. An invocation was delivered by Pastor Brian Halterman, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Proclamation: Women's History Month and Equal Pay Day
- A proclamation designating March 2026 as Women's History Month and March 3, 2026, as Equal Pay Day was presented. The proclamation recognized the theme "Leading the Change, Women Shaping a Sustainable Future" and acknowledged the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Lompoc-Vandenberg Branch. The Mayor signed the proclamation, which was accepted by Dinah Perez Lockhart, President of the AAUW Lompoc-Vandenberg Branch. During the presentation, statistics regarding the gender pay gap in Lompoc were shared, noting a median income of $30,775 for working women compared to $40,286 for men. Recommendations for achieving pay equity, including access to affordable higher education, paid leave, pay equity audits, and standardized pay decisions, were outlined. No formal motion or vote was taken on this item.
City Manager Report
- The City Manager provided updates on community events, including the annual Easter Egg Hunt (April 4), lifeguard training (March 13–15 and March 21), Spring Break Camp registration (April 5–10), a Library focus group for the Summer Reading Challenge Program (March 7), and a Peeps Diorama Contest (drop-offs beginning March 16). A public safety warning was issued regarding a scam involving individuals falsely claiming to be city employees conducting water quality and meter inspections. The Urban Forestry team, specifically Donald Dubay and Gamero Orwin, were recognized for responding to a traffic collision and extinguishing vehicle fires. Regarding the time clock system, the City Manager stated that research is ongoing due to staffing changes and IT analysis requirements, with an agreement to bring the item back for discussion in April. No formal motion or vote was taken on this item.
Consent Calendar
- The Consent Calendar included seven items: approval of the January 30, 2026, check register ($1.998 million); approval of voucher registers for late January and early February; acceptance of the 2025 General Plan Annual Report; adoption of Resolution No. 6799-26 regarding the Park Maintenance Pool Assessment District; adoption of Ordinance No. 1743-26 regarding administrative fines, graffiti control, and property nuisance; adoption of Ordinance No. 1744-26 reducing City Manager purchasing authority; and authorization of a comment letter on the County of Santa Barbara Environmental Justice Elements.
- Council Member Starbuck recused himself from the item regarding a check to the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce due to a financial interest. The Mayor pulled the voucher register item (Item 2) from the consent calendar for later discussion. Council Member Bridge requested modifications to Ordinance No. 1743-26 (Graffiti Control), proposing changes to the timeframe for abatement and terminology in Section 9.16.05. The Mayor explained that changes could not be made during the adoption vote and the ordinance would need to be reintroduced at the next meeting. Council Member Bridge agreed to reintroduce the item with modifications.
- A motion was made by Council Member Bridge and seconded by Council Member Vega to approve the remaining consent calendar items, excluding the pulled voucher register item and the graffiti control ordinance. The motion passed.
2025 Energy Code Solar and Battery Mandate
- Staff presented a financial analysis of the 2025 California Energy Code mandate requiring solar and battery storage on new construction. The analysis indicated that due to Lompoc's utility rate structure, the net savings for residents would be approximately 7 cents per kilowatt-hour, resulting in a net financial loss for homeowners. For a typical new home, the estimated upfront cost is $25,000 with a total loan cost of nearly $50,000 over 30 years, against projected lifetime savings of less than $9,000. Scaling this to 2,000 anticipated new homes would impose a cumulative net cost of approximately $78 million on residents. Additionally, the utility faces an estimated $600,000 annual deficit due to lost sales margins. Staff proposed petitioning the California Energy Commission for an exemption or implementing an "in-lieu fee" structure, with a proposed fee of $950 per kilowatt.
- Following discussion and public comment, Council Member Vega moved to direct staff to file a waiver with the state regarding the solar and battery mandate for new construction. The motion was amended to also direct staff to prepare a recommendation regarding an in-lieu fee structure, with proceeds potentially directed toward capital improvement projects such as street lighting. Council Member Boehme seconded the motion. The motion passed.
FY 2024-2025 Financial Audit
- The external auditor presented the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year 2024-2025, issuing an unmodified opinion. The report noted no material weaknesses but identified one significant deficiency regarding internal controls. The City Finance Director presented financial results, noting that water and solid waste expenditures exceeded revenues, while electric revenues exceeded expenditures. The general fund balance was reported at approximately $12 million, a $370,000 increase from the prior year.
- Discussion focused on a $944,000 variance in the finance and city treasurer line item attributed to credit card processing fees. A motion was made to authorize the City Attorney to investigate legal avenues or codes to strengthen the city's ability to recoup such costs or implement policy changes to pass these fees to users. The motion was seconded and passed.
- Regarding development impact fees, a motion was made to add an amended page to the financial report to provide the Council's context and reasoning regarding the modification of development impact fees. The motion was seconded and passed.
Police Department Presentation on Drug Use and Enforcement
- The Police Department presented data on drug use incidents from January 2025 through the present, identifying 71 incidents of being under the influence, with peak activity in May and June between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Primary locations included 8th Street and Ocean Avenue. The department outlined enforcement strategies, including directed patrol details and the redirection of the Special Investigations Unit. Discussion covered arrest protocols, staffing challenges, and upcoming initiatives, including the deployment of a drone and hiring new officers. No formal motions were made or voted upon during this segment.
Oral Communications
- SoCalGas Franchise Agreement: A representative from SoCalGas discussed the company's commitment to the region and upcoming discussions regarding a franchise agreement and a pilot program for decarbonizing gas service. No formal motions were made or voted upon.
- Skate Park Project: Members of the public presented a petition requesting a delay of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the new skate park project, citing concerns that the current design is outdated and contains safety hazards. They emphasized the need for community input from experienced skateboarders. No formal motions were made or voted upon.
- General Concerns: A member of the public expressed concerns regarding the transparency and operations of certain non-profit organizations. No formal motions were made or voted upon.
2025 General Plan Annual Report
- Staff presented the 2025 General Plan Annual Report. Discussion focused on data assumptions regarding Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs), the classification of income levels, and implementation measures marked as having "no progress to date" due to staffing limitations. The Mayor highlighted a measure requiring the investigation of an additional road crossing over the San Ynez River (McLaughlin Crossing) for emergency evacuation purposes. The Mayor moved that the City proactively take the lead in investigating and pursuing this emergency access road, contacting the County and relevant agencies as necessary. The motion was seconded. The Council voted to accept the 2025 General Plan Annual Report with the recommendation to proactively pursue the investigation of the emergency road crossing. The motion passed unanimously.
Skate Park Project (Continued)
- Discussion continued regarding the skate park project, specifically concerning the RFP process and public outreach. A council member expressed concern that the skating community's input may not have been adequately heard. Staff responded that the designer had attended multiple meetings to gather input and noted that the project is subject to a grant deadline and a building permit has been executed. The council member agreed to follow up with staff. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon.
Council Member Reports
- Council Member Ball and Council Member Bridge provided no reports. The presiding officer reported on a free bus ride initiative, a girls' softball opening at Thompson Park, and acknowledged the work of the city attorney's office regarding a matter involving the county. No formal motions were made, seconded, or voted upon.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled for March 17 at 6:30 p.m.