Meeting Summary
Present: 2-Vega, 1-Bridge, 4-Ball, Dirk, 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
Donate Life California Proclamation
- The Council designated April 2026 as Donate Life California Month to promote organ and tissue donor registration.
- A kidney transplant recipient addressed the Council to thank them and highlight the county's high registration rates.
- The City Attorney emphasized the importance of maintaining up-to-date medical directives and DNR papers.
Commission Appointments
- The Council appointed Brendan Baker and Karen Lopez as Youth Commission members and Victor Cortez as an associate member.
- Marisela Trinado was appointed to fill an at-large vacancy on the Library Commission.
- All appointed members received terms extending into 2028 or 2029.
Sign Ordinance Amendments
- Staff proposed amendments to allow feather flags for large developments and additional signs for multi-tenant buildings.
- Council members expressed concern that limiting feather flags to large developments could be discriminatory.
- A motion was made to adopt the ordinance as presented, though no final vote was recorded during this session.
Mid-Year General Fund Budget Update
- Staff reported an unassigned fund balance increase of approximately $8.28 million and recommended transferring $1.09 million to reserves.
- Budget adjustments were approved to address salary variances in the Police Department and Library caused by vacancy rates.
- Discussion covered revenue variances related to TOT, cannabis taxes, and electric vehicle adoption.
Neighborhood Decarbonization Program (SB 1221)
- Staff reported that no Lompoc neighborhood was selected for the initial state pilot program list.
- The Council received clarification that decarbonization projects require a 67% property owner consent vote.
- The item was received and filed without a motion for action.
Residential Private Permitting Act (AB 253)
- Staff presented an informational report on the upcoming law allowing private professionals to certify residential building permits.
- Discussion focused on the city's ability to meet statutory deadlines for plan reviews and permit issuance.
- The item was received and filed without a motion for action.
30-Minute Parking Restriction
- Staff requested the establishment of 30-minute parking restrictions for three spaces on North A Street.
- Council members raised concerns regarding the lack of prior notification to neighboring businesses and employees.
- The Council voted to defer action to allow for standard notification of properties within a 300-foot radius.
Downtown Electrified Parking Lot Grant Reimbursement
- Staff presented a request to approve APCD grant reimbursement funds for the downtown parking lot project.
- The Council directed that the funds be deposited into the carbon credit account rather than the general fund.
- The item was approved with the stipulation regarding fund placement, and one member recused themselves from the vote.
Future Agenda Items
- The Council agreed to schedule a future item to discuss Fire Department health, staffing levels, and retention strategies.
- A request was made to address the long-standing Frick Springs issue, including maintenance costs and funding sources.
Closed Session
- The Council discussed workers' compensation litigation, labor negotiations, and the initiation of specific litigation.
- Upon reconvening, the City Manager reported a unanimous vote to authorize the City Attorney to commence the specific lawsuit.
- Details regarding the defendant and lawsuit will become public only upon filing.
Full summary
Closed Session
- The Council met in closed session to discuss existing workers' compensation litigation, labor negotiations with the IBW, and the consideration of initiating litigation in a specific case. Upon reconvening, the City Manager reported that the Council voted unanimously to authorize the City Attorney's office to commence litigation regarding the third item. Specific details regarding the defendant and the lawsuit will become public upon filing.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
- Pastor Ron offered an invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by the City Attorney.
Proclamation: Donate Life California Month
- Mayor Mosby read a proclamation designating April 2026 as DMV Donate Life California Month to encourage organ, eye, and tissue donor registration. Scott Burns, a kidney transplant recipient, addressed the Council to thank them for the proclamation and noted Santa Barbara County's high registration rates. The City Attorney commented on the importance of maintaining medical directives and DNR papers.
City Manager Report
- The City Manager provided updates on community events and programs, including the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the upcoming 21st Annual Parks and Rec Kiwanis Golf Tournament, special spring swim hours at the Aquatic Center, and the winner of the Annual Peeps Diorama Contest. The Library's participation in the "One Book One Coast" program featuring They Called Us Enemy was noted. Police and Fire departments participated in the "Every 15 Minutes" event at Lompoc High School. Nominations are open for the Spring Yard Beautification Contest, with awards scheduled for May 12th. The CDBG program received a HUD award confirming eligibility for future grants. The March 13th payroll report was noted as incomplete due to a printing error and will be included in the next packet.
Consent Calendar
- Prior to the vote, Council Member Starbuck recused himself from Item 7 (parking lot renovation) due to property ownership within 500 feet of the site. Council Member Vega requested clarification regarding an additional audit of the energy conservation rebate program. Staff explained the audit was triggered by filed charges, cost approximately $9,000, and was paid as part of the overall audit. Staff confirmed process modifications to tighten application reviews were implemented in September of the prior year. Regarding fraudulent applications, the City Attorney stated it is not staff's responsibility to allow applicants to "cure" knowingly false information. The City Attorney requested a future agenda item to analyze rebate applications, potentially involving a third party, to determine the extent of issues and allow for corrections or withdrawals. Council Member Starbuck agreed to bring this back as a formal agenda item.
- The consent calendar included eight items: approval of payroll expenditures for February 27th; approval of voucher registers for periods ending February 27th, March 6th, and March 13th; adoption of Resolution 6802-26 amending the Solid Waste Manager job description; adoption of Resolution 6803-26 authorizing a petition to the California Energy Commission regarding 2025 energy code requirements; approval of a standing order for excess liability insurance; adoption of Resolution 6804-26 establishing a 30-minute restricted parking zone at 113 and 119 North A Street; adoption of Resolution 6805-26 approving a declaration of nuisance and abatement order; and award of Invitation to Bid 2026ITB00T2WDW to JJ Fisher Construction for $341,438 for a parking lot renovation.
- Council Member Vega moved to approve the consent calendar with the exception of Items 5 and 7, which were pulled for further discussion, and the removal of the March 13th payroll item. Council Member Starbuck seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Public Comment
- Janet Blevins addressed the Council regarding Council Member Bridge, stating she believes he is guilty of fabricating a company name and submitting a false receipt, and urged the Council to ask him to stand down until his trial. Karen Hauenstein discussed the death of Liliana Zuniga in custody, questioning the official cause of death and the Police Department's handling of the case. An unidentified speaker requested reimbursement for towing fees incurred under a 72-hour parking ordinance, arguing the tow was unnecessary; the City Attorney advised filing a claim with the City Clerk. Tom Gerald, President of the Astronomy Club of Lompoc, spoke in support of the International Dark Sky Week proclamation and discussed the impacts of light pollution.
Appointments
- Youth Commission: Council Member Ball moved to appoint Brendan Baker and Karen Lopez as youth members and Victor Cortez as an associate member, with terms ending January 2028. Council Member Bridge seconded. The motion passed.
- Library Commission: Council Member Ball moved to appoint Marisela Trinado to an at-large vacancy with a term ending 2029. Council Member Bridge seconded. The motion passed.
Public Hearing: Sign Ordinance Amendments (Item 9)
- Staff presented a recommendation to amend the sign ordinance (Ordinance 1745-26) to address two issues: allowing feather flags and construction signs on development sites of one acre or larger associated with a development review permit, and allowing tenants in multi-tenant buildings to have at least one sign per building facade. Council discussion focused on the feather flag provision, with members expressing concern that allowing them only for large developments could be discriminatory. The City Attorney noted that feather flags were previously banned due to safety concerns regarding driver distraction. Staff confirmed that currently, feather flags are not allowed under the code. Council Member Vega moved to adopt Ordinance 1745-26 as presented to assist the developer, suggesting broader feather flag access could be addressed in the future. The City Attorney noted the motion would create a standard where only large developers could utilize feather flags. No vote was recorded in this portion of the meeting.
Mid-Year General Fund Budget Update (Item 10)
- Staff presented a mid-year update noting an unassigned fund balance increase to approximately $8.28 million. The recommendation included transferring $1.09 million from the prior year's surplus to the economic uncertainty account to meet reserve policy. Staff proposed budget adjustments to address salary variances caused by vacancy rates, requesting a transfer of $519,000 to the Police Department and $6,000 to the Library to cover overages, funded by savings from other departments. Discussion focused on sustained vacancies in the Fire Department and General Government, and revenue variances regarding TOT, cannabis taxes, and electric vehicle adoption. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendations regarding budget adjustments and fund transfers. The motion was seconded and passed.
California Public Utilities Commission Neighborhood Decarbonization Program (SB 1221) (Item 11)
- Staff provided an informational report on SB 1221, clarifying that no neighborhood in Lompoc was selected for the initial list of pilot programs. Staff explained that decarbonization requires a 67% property owner consent vote and confirmed that state law supersedes the city's franchise agreement with SoCalGas regarding service obligations. Council members sought clarification on selection criteria and the voting process. No motion was made. The item was received and filed.
California Residential Private Permitting Act (Assembly Bill 253) (Item 12)
- Staff presented an informational report on AB 253, effective October 10, 2025, regarding self-certification for building permits for residential projects with one to 10 dwelling units. The law allows private professionals to certify plan compliance if the city does not provide comments within 30 business days, with the city having 10 business days to issue a permit or provide notice of deficiencies. Discussion addressed the city's ability to meet statutory deadlines and oversight mechanisms. No motion was made. The item was received and filed.
30-Minute Parking Restriction (Item 5)
- Staff presented a request to establish 30-minute parking restrictions for three on-street spaces on North A Street. Council members discussed the impact on neighboring businesses and employees, raising concerns regarding the lack of prior notification. A motion was made to defer action on the item to allow for standard notification of properties within a 300-foot radius and to bring the item back to a future meeting. The motion was seconded and passed.
Downtown Electrified Parking Lot Grant Reimbursement (Item 7)
- Staff presented a request to approve the use of grant reimbursement funds from the APCD for the downtown electrified parking lot project. Discussion focused on the accounting treatment of the funds, with Council members recommending they be returned to the carbon credit account rather than the general fund. Staff confirmed the funds would be placed back into the CARB credit account. A motion was made to approve the item as written, with the stipulation that APCD reimbursement funds be deposited into the carbon credit account. The motion was seconded and passed. One council member recused themselves from the vote due to a property interest within 500 feet of the project site.
Council Comments and Meeting Reports
- A request was made to schedule a future agenda item to discuss the health, staffing levels, and retention rates of the Fire Department. Council members discussed potential solutions, such as partnerships with local colleges. Additionally, a request was made to schedule an agenda item to address the long-standing issue of Frick Springs, specifically regarding maintenance costs, funding sources, and potential solutions.
Adjournment
- The City Attorney announced the adjournment of the meeting, scheduling the next session for April 21st at 6:30.