Meeting Summary
Present: 2-Vega, 1-Bridge, 4-Ball, Dirk, Mosby
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At a glance
Proclamations and Department Reports
- Mayor Mosby proclaimed April 2026 as DMV Donate Life California Month.
- Staff announced a HUD award for the CDBG program and reported on community activities.
- Council requested a future agenda item to analyze energy conservation rebate application issues.
Commission Appointments
- Staff presented applicants for vacancies on the Library and Youth Commissions.
- Council approved the motion to appoint Marisela Trinado to the Library Commission.
- Council approved the motion to appoint three members to the Youth Commission.
Sign Ordinance Amendments
- A public hearing was held on Ordinance 1745-26 to amend sign regulations.
- Proposals included allowing temporary feather signs for developments and multi-tenant signage.
- Council discussed safety concerns and equity issues regarding developer versus business signage.
- Council moved to accept the ordinance amendment.
Mid-Year General Fund Budget Update
- Staff recommended moving a $1.09 million surplus to the economic uncertainty account.
- Salary budget adjustments were proposed based on vacancy rates across departments.
- Discussion focused on staffing levels and potential consequences of Fire Department vacancies.
- Council moved to approve the staff recommendations.
State Law Updates
- City Attorney confirmed no Lompoc neighborhood was selected for the SB 1221 decarbonization pilot.
- Assembly Bill 253 regarding private permitting for residential projects was explained.
- Both informational reports were received and filed by the Council.
Restricted Parking Zone Resolution
- Council noted a lack of prior notification to neighboring businesses regarding the zone.
- Council motioned to require notification within a 300-foot radius for future items.
- The item was returned to a future agenda for further processing.
Parking Lot Renovation Bid Award
- Council discussed the placement of grant reimbursement funds for the renovation project.
- One Council Member recused themselves due to property ownership proximity.
- Staff recommended funds return to the carbon credit account.
- Council moved to approve the bid award.
Closed Session
- Council discussed existing workers' compensation litigation and labor negotiations in closed session.
- Upon reassembly, staff reported authorization for the City Attorney to commence litigation on one item.
- This action was approved by a unanimous vote.
Full summary
Closed Session
- The Council met in closed session to discuss three items: existing workers' compensation litigation, labor negotiations with IBW, and anticipated litigation. Upon reassembly, staff reported that the Council authorized the City Attorney's office to commence litigation on one of the items. This action was approved by a unanimous vote. Details regarding the litigation and defendants will be made public upon filing.
Proclamations and Opening Reports
- Mayor Mosby proclaimed April 2026 as DMV Donate Life California Month to encourage organ donation. The City Manager provided a report on various city activities, including the Easter Egg Hunt, an upcoming golf tournament for scholarships, the library's "One Book One Coast" program, and the Spring Yard Beautification contest. An award from HUD regarding the CDBG program was announced. A question was raised regarding an additional audit triggered by charges filed related to the energy conservation rebate program. Staff explained the audit cost approximately $9,000 and noted process modifications had been implemented prior to the audit. The Mayor requested a future agenda item to analyze the rebate application issues and determine a process for applicants to cure errors or withdraw applications.
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar included seven items: payroll ratification, voucher registers, a resolution amending the solid waste manager job description, a petition to the California Energy Commission regarding photovoltaic requirements, an insurance program resolution, a restricted parking zone resolution, a nuisance and abatement resolution, and a bid award for a parking lot renovation. Two items, the restricted parking zone and the parking lot renovation, were removed from the consent calendar for further discussion. A motion was made to approve the remaining consent items. The motion passed.
Appointments (Item 8)
- Staff presented applicants for vacancies on the Library Commission and Youth Commission. A motion was made to appoint Marisela Trinado to the Library Commission and Brendan Baker, Karen Lopez, and Victor Cortez to the Youth Commission. The motion passed.
Sign Ordinance Amendments (Item 9)
- A public hearing was held regarding Ordinance 1745-26 to amend the sign ordinance. Proposals included allowing temporary feather signs for developments on parcels larger than one acre and permitting multiple tenants in multi-tenant buildings to have signage on different building facades. Public comment was received from a developer regarding the necessity of signage for sales. Council members discussed safety concerns related to feather flags and the equity of allowing them for developers while restricting them for smaller businesses. A motion was made to accept the ordinance.
Mid-Year General Fund Budget Update (Item 10)
- Staff presented the Mid-Year General Fund Budget Update. The recommendation included moving a $1.09 million surplus from the prior year to the economic uncertainty account to maintain a two-month reserve. Salary budget adjustments were proposed based on vacancy rates in various departments, including transfers to the Police and Library departments. Council discussion focused on staffing levels, retention, and the potential consequences of vacancies in the Fire Department. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendations.
State Law Informational Updates (Items 11 & 12)
- The City Attorney provided information on SB 1221, the Neighborhood Decarbonization Program. It was confirmed that no neighborhood in Lompoc has been selected as a pilot program. The report was received and filed. The City Attorney also explained Assembly Bill 253 regarding private permitting for residential projects. This informational item was received and filed.
Discussion of Withdrawn Consent Items (Items 5 & 7)
- Item 5 (30-minute Restricted Parking Zone): Council discussion focused on the lack of prior notification to neighboring businesses. A motion was made to require notification within a 300-foot radius and return the item to a future agenda. The motion passed. Item 7 (Parking Lot Renovation): Council discussion addressed the placement of grant reimbursement funds, with the recommendation that funds return to the carbon credit account. One Council Member recused themselves from this item due to property ownership proximity. A motion was made to approve the bid award. The motion passed.
Council Comments and Requests
- Council members made requests for future agenda items to discuss the health and staffing levels of the Fire Department and to seek a solution regarding maintenance costs for Frick Springs.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned to resume on April 21 at 6:30 PM.