Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Ball, 1-Bridge, 2-Vega, 3-Starbuck, Mosby
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
Vietnam War Veterans Day Proclamation
- The council designated March 29, 2026, as Vietnam War Veterans Day to honor service members and their sacrifices.
- Representatives from veteran organizations expressed gratitude and discussed ongoing community needs.
Surf Bridge Replacement Project
- A $1 million grant will fund engineering and biological surveys for the bridge replacement over the Santa Ynez River.
- The project timeline targets construction start in late 2028 or 2029 with completion by 2030.
- Community engagement efforts include a public survey, focus groups, and a town hall scheduled for July.
- Staff discussed coordination with Vandenberg Space Force Base regarding bird habitats and beach access.
Five-Year Local Program Projects (Measure A)
- Staff presented the 2027–2031 road maintenance plan, noting that current funding is insufficient to maintain the city's Pavement Condition Index.
- Council members discussed prioritization transparency and the railroad company's responsibility for road conditions near tracks.
- The council adopted Resolution 6801-26 to approve the Local Program Projects for the specified fiscal years.
Youth Commission Appointments
- The council appointed Carla Ana Agua to the adult term and Shelby Swain to the youth term of the Lompoc Youth Commission.
Council Requests and Comments
- Council Member Ball requested a report on legal options for addressing a member facing criminal charges and a future review of renter protections.
- Council Member Bridge reported a ventilation issue at the baseball park concession stand and noted missing agenda items.
- Mayor Mosby requested a review of trash tipping fees to address potential subsidies for non-residents and asked for public access to renter rights documents.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Proclamations
- The March 17 regular city council meeting was called to order following roll call, an invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Mosby presented a proclamation designating March 29, 2026, as Vietnam War Veterans Day. The proclamation acknowledged the history of the conflict, the sacrifices of service members, and the challenges faced by veterans upon returning home. Representatives from American Legion Post 211, the GI Forum, and other veteran groups addressed the council, expressing gratitude for the recognition and discussing the ongoing needs of the veteran community.
Surf Bridge Replacement Project
- Lindy Althaus of Althaus and Meade, representing Union Pacific Railroad, presented an update on the planned replacement of the Surf Bridge over the Santa Ynez River. The presentation outlined the bridge's age, flood risks, and its role as a bottleneck for water flow. The project aims to restore estuarine value and improve community access. A $1 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is funding engineering, planning, and biological surveys. The timeline includes planning and permitting through 2027, final design by 2028, construction starting in late 2028 or 2029, and completion by 2030.
- Ellen Kutkowski and Sophie Bartley of Legacy Works Group detailed the community engagement process, which includes pre-engagement interviews, a public survey targeting recreational users, and five focus groups with specific community segments. A town hall is scheduled for July to present preliminary design options. Council members and staff discussed the navigable status of the waterway, potential long-term beach access improvements, and the coordination required with Vandenberg Space Force Base regarding bird habitats and public access.
Staff Announcements and City Manager Updates
- The City Manager provided updates on several topics:
- Events: Announcements were made regarding the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Spring Break Camp, the Kiwanis Golf Tournament, the Library's Peeps Diorama Contest, summer reading program internships, and the Spring Yard Beautification Contest.
- ACFR Amendment: A request was made to add a letter or footnote to the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) regarding a previous amendment request. Staff confirmed the comment would be noted on the online version and discussed the authorship process.
- River Cleanup: Updates were provided on ongoing cleanup efforts in the river area, including coordination with the Sheriff's Department and plans for drone footage to monitor encampments.
- Camping Ordinance: Staff indicated a full report on the camping ordinance would be presented in April.
- Measure B: The City Manager confirmed that staff could prepare an educational information leaflet regarding Measure B, similar to previous efforts for other measures.
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar included the approval of minutes from December 2025 and January 2026, ratification of expenditures and payroll for February 2026, approval of a lease for a fireworks booth, adoption of an ordinance regarding administrative fines for graffiti and property nuisance, adoption of a resolution amending the Streetscape and Multimodal Improvement Plan, and acceptance of the 2025 General Plan Annual Report.
- Discussion: Council Member Ball inquired about potential impacts on future funding due to the reduction of scope in the Multimodal Improvement Plan. Staff noted that improvements south of North Avenue might be less likely to receive outside funding. Council Member Mosby asked for clarification on the classification of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the General Plan report. Staff explained that without deed restrictions or a specific study, ADUs must be categorized as "above moderate" income, though reclassification could occur if a study is conducted in the future.
- Public Comment: Speakers addressed the administrative fines ordinance, suggesting a pilot program for designated street art spaces to reduce graffiti. Another speaker noted that much of the graffiti is gang-related rather than artistic. A third speaker offered a proposed ordinance from another city regarding ADU covenants and loans.
- Recusal: Council Member Starbuck recused himself from voting on checks issued to the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce due to a financial conflict of interest.
- Action: A motion was made to accept the consent calendar with the exception of the items involving the Chamber of Commerce checks. The motion was seconded. The council voted, and the motion passed.
Public Comment (General)
- During the general public comment period, several high school students from the Lompoc Valley Black Student Union and Debate Team addressed the council. They expressed disappointment regarding the conduct of a sitting council member facing felony charges, calling for integrity, accountability, and transparency. They urged the council member to step down. Other speakers supported the students, while others defended the presumption of innocence and criticized the political motivations behind the charges. Additional comments were made regarding the need for shuttle services to the Surf Bridge area, the impact of rocket launches on infrastructure, and the establishment of cooling stations for vulnerable populations.
Appointments
- A motion was made to appoint Carla Ana Agua to the Lompoc Youth Commission (adult term) and Shelby Swain to the Youth Commission (youth term). The motion was seconded. The council voted, and the motion passed.
Five-Year Local Program Projects (Measure A)
- Craig Dealing, Public Works Director, presented the Five-Year Local Program Projects for fiscal years 2027–2031, required to secure Measure A funding. The presentation highlighted that road needs exceed revenues, with the citywide average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) at 52. Staff outlined cost-effective strategies for maintenance and capital projects, noting that current funding levels are insufficient to maintain the current PCI, let alone improve it. The presentation included data on revenue, funded expenditures, and unfunded needs.
- Discussion: Council members discussed the transparency of residential street repair prioritization and the severity of potholes near railroad tracks on Laurel and O Streets. Staff explained that railroad operators are responsible for maintaining the area immediately adjacent to the tracks, which contributes to the condition of the surrounding road. Council Member Ball suggested following up with the railroad company regarding their maintenance responsibilities.
- Public Comment: Speakers highlighted specific pothole issues and questioned whether the city could seek compensation from SpaceX for infrastructure damage caused by rocket launches.
- Action: A motion was made to adopt Resolution 6801-26, approving the Local Program Projects for fiscal years 2027–2031. The motion was seconded. The council voted, and the motion passed.
Council Requests and Comments
- Council Member Ball: Requested a staff report on legal options available to the council regarding formal censure, removal from committees, or other interim measures for a council member facing criminal charges, emphasizing the need to protect the city's credibility. He also requested a future agenda item to review renter protections, including rent stabilization and anti-harassment policies, comparing Lompoc to nearby cities.
- Council Member Bridge: Reported on the new concession stand at the baseball park, noting a ventilation issue with the door. He also inquired about the status of translation services and noted that several previously scheduled items (mid-year budget update, landfill life cycle review, AB 253 review) were missing from the current agenda.
- Mayor Mosby: Requested that staff make state and county documents regarding renters' rights available to the public. He also raised a concern regarding trash tipping fees, noting that rates for residents outside city limits appear to have been equalized with city residents, potentially resulting in city residents subsidizing non-residents. He requested a review and discussion on this matter.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned, with the next regular meeting scheduled for April 7, 2026.