City Council — October 6, 2026

Certificates of Recognition and SPCAG Anniversary

• Certificates were presented to coalition partners and American Legion Auxiliary members for their service.
• A proclamation was read commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments.
• Staff outlined upcoming regional projects, including the Lompoc Valley Transportation Needs Study and the St. Denis Valley Trail Project.

Staff Announcements and Project Updates

• Staff provided updates on upcoming community events, including the Parks and Recreation Commission workshop and the Christmas Parade.
• The City of Lompoc Electric Division received a diamond award from the American Public Power Association.
• The skate park groundbreaking is targeted for October 12, and stage construction is expected to be completed by the Flower Festival.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved seven items, including minutes, payroll expenditures, and the closure of City Hall for the holidays.
• A contract was awarded to Winter Chevrolet for six 2027 Chevy Silverado EV work trucks to comply with Advanced Clean Fleets regulations.
• The Council approved the continuation of ballot drop boxes and a license agreement with the County of Santa Barbara.

Police Department Presentation: Drones and ALPR

• The Chief of Police presented data showing the drone program reduced response times by 84% and located 144 subjects.
• Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) have recovered 76 stolen vehicles and contributed to 54 arrests.
• Staff clarified that ALPR data is owned by the City, retained for 30 days, and does not use facial recognition.
• Council members discussed data privacy concerns, including the volume of images collected and potential AI training by the vendor.

Flock Safety ALPR System (Continued Discussion)

• Council members debated the distribution of cameras and the potential for disproportionate surveillance in lower-income neighborhoods.
• Public commenters raised concerns about data storage in Georgia, lack of transparency, and the potential for misuse of the system.
• A motion was passed to form an ad hoc committee to further investigate the ALPR system and hear additional public input.

Temporary Pause on Negotiations

• The Council discussed a request from two communities to pause negotiations until after the upcoming election.
• No public comments were received, and the Council moved to the next item without a recorded vote.

General Communications

• A representative announced a nonpartisan candidate forum for the upcoming mayoral and council elections.
• A resident reported a significant increase in their sewer bill following a software transition and requested an independent financial impact study.
• The Vice Chair of the Lompoc Utility Commission stated that the commission is not functioning effectively due to lack of staff attendance.

Youth Commission Appointments

• Cesar Magana was appointed to the youth member term ending in January 2027.
• Esteban Magana was appointed to the associate member term ending in January 2028.

Landfill Tipping Fees for Non-City Solid Waste Customers

• The Council approved a 1.5x rate multiplier for non-resident landfill users, raising the fee from $115 to $172.50 per ton.
• Staff noted that the increase addresses the solid waste utility deficit and the financial burden on city residents.
• The effective date for the new rates was set for July 1st to allow for notice to commercial customers.

Granite Peak LLC Memorandum of Understanding (Bodger Meadows)

• The Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding required for the Environmental Impact Report of the Bodger Meadows development.
• The MOU outlines rough terms for out-of-area utility service if the project is not annexed into the city.
• A council request was made to bring back an ordinance prohibiting new out-of-area utility services for non-annexed properties.

General Council Comments and Requests

• The Council discussed a one-year extension for the Space Base California project and requested an update on Fire Department staffing.
• A proposal was made to require staff agenda items to include the recommendation of the relevant commission.
• The Mayor requested a presentation on sewer bill rate increase parameters and a schedule of upcoming utility rate studies.

Closed Session

• The Council met in closed session to discuss one labor negotiations item.
• Staff received direction from the Council, but no reportable action was taken.

Closed Session Report

• The Council reported meeting in closed session to discuss one labor negotiations item. Staff received direction from the Council, but no reportable action was taken.

Public Comment and Presentations

• Certificates of Recognition: Certificates were presented to Fidel Villanueva, Maribel Landeros, and Heather Woolsey for the 2026 Healthy Lompoc Coalition Partner Award. Certificates were also presented to Maisie Brown and Violin Solario for their service as citizens of the 83rd Session of the American Legion Auxiliary California Girl State.
• SPCAG 60th Anniversary: A proclamation was read commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). SBCAG’s Director of Programming accepted the recognition and outlined upcoming regional projects, including the Lompoc Valley Transportation Needs Study (planned for 2027), a State Route 135 study in Santa Maria, and the St. Denis Valley Trail Project.
• Staff Announcements: Staff provided updates on upcoming community events, including a Parks and Recreation Commission workshop (October 13), the Christmas Parade (December 4), a pumpkin contest, a Costume Bingo Contest (October 16), and National Public Power Week. Staff noted the City of Lompoc Electric Division received a diamond award from the American Public Power Association and that an employee award banquet is scheduled for October 15.
• Project Updates: Staff confirmed the skate park groundbreaking is targeted for October 12. Construction on the stage is expected to be completed by the Flower Festival, pending the installation of windmills.
• Public Order: The City Attorney read California Penal Code Section 403 into the record regarding the disturbance of public meetings.

Consent Calendar

• The Council considered seven items on the consent calendar: 1. Approval of minutes from the June 16, 2026 meeting. 2. Approval and ratification of expenditures for payroll (August 28 and September 11) and voucher registers (August 24–28, August 31–September 4, and September 7–11). 3. Adoption of Resolution No. 6851-26 to close City Hall and suspend certain field operations from December 28 to December 31. 4. Approval of an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding for the PRISM Health Program. 5. Adoption of the updated 2026 City Council meeting calendar, including the cancellation of the November 3 meeting due to Election Day. 6. Continuation of ballot drop boxes on city property and approval of a license agreement with the County of Santa Barbara. 7. Award of a contract to Winter Chevrolet for six 2027 Chevy Silverado EV work trucks in the amount of $394,000.
• Staff explained that the purchase of electric vehicles is mandated by Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations through CARB, which require 50% of new vehicle purchases to be electric currently, rising to 100% by 2030. Staff noted that the previous plan to purchase Ford F-150 Lightning trucks was discontinued by the manufacturer, necessitating this alternative. Staff also addressed charging infrastructure planning and the strategic timing of deliveries to allow for charger installation.
• A motion was made to approve the consent calendar as listed. The motion was seconded. The vote was 5-0 in favor. The consent calendar items passed.

Police Department Presentation: Drones as First Responders and Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR)

• The Chief of Police presented data on the "Drones as First Responders" program and the use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR).
• Drones as First Responders:
• Statistics: Since July 31, the drone has been deployed for 250 calls for service, achieving an 84% reduction in response time and an average response time of 98.1 seconds. It located 144 subjects and was on scene first 61% of the time.
• Transparency: Flight paths and deployment data are available on the Police Department’s website.
• Operational Impact: The Chief noted that the drone often arrives before patrol units, providing actionable intelligence and overwatch for officer safety during high-risk stops. The Chief stated that the program has reduced "gone on arrival" outcomes for suspects.
• Clarification: Staff clarified that the Police Department’s drones are distinct from those operated by a private tenant at the airport, which are used for border security. Police drones operate within FAA-approved geofences.
• Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR):
• Function: ALPRs capture still images of license plates and vehicle descriptions at points of entry and exit. They are used as investigative leads for stolen vehicles, missing persons, and criminal cases.
• Data Privacy and Security:
• The system does not use facial recognition or identify demographic traits.
• Data is owned by the City of Lompoc; Flock Safety provides the infrastructure but does not sell the data.
• Searches require a documented law enforcement purpose (e.g., stolen vehicle, suspect vehicle) and are logged for audit.
• Access is restricted to command staff, supervisors, detectives, and dispatchers; patrol officers must request access through a supervisor or dispatch.
• Data retention is currently 30 days. The Chief recommended maintaining this period, noting that Flock’s new default for new customers is 7 days, which may hinder investigations.
• Data is not shared outside of California or with federal agencies.
• Results: The system has recovered 76 stolen vehicles, contributed to 54 arrests, and recovered approximately $1.5 million in vehicle value. It has also aided in the recovery of narcotics.
• Legal Standing: The Chief cited Ninth Circuit precedent supporting the use of ALPRs on public roadways as not violating the Fourth Amendment, as license plates are knowingly exposed to public view.
• Council Discussion:
• Council Member Bridge raised concerns about the volume of data collected (approximately 1.5 million images per year in Lompoc) and the potential for data to be used for AI training by the vendor, Flock Safety. The Chief acknowledged the concern and suggested requesting a specific briefing from Flock regarding their AI data practices.
• Council Member Bridge asked about the department's ability to pivot if courts ruled against the use of ALPRs. The Chief stated the department would comply with any court rulings.
• Mayor Mosby asked what would be required to mandate a judicial warrant for accessing ALPR data. The Chief argued that current legal precedents do not require a warrant for public roadway observations and questioned the necessity of such a step given existing internal safeguards.
• Recommendation: The Chief recommended the Council continue to support the use of ALPR technology, citing its value as a force multiplier for the department and its role in solving crimes and returning property to victims.

Agenda Item: Flock Safety ALPR System (Continued Discussion and Public Comment)

Discussion and Public Comment

• The meeting continued with discussion regarding the Flock Safety Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system. A council member raised concerns about systematic surveillance and the potential for abuse, suggesting that a third-party authorization or warrant requirement might increase public comfort. The Chief of Police responded that under current federal and state law, accessing Flock data does not constitute a search requiring a warrant, as the data is considered publicly available information. The Chief noted that requiring a warrant would add significant delays (estimated at 4–6 hours on weekends) to active investigations, such as locating victims in vehicles. The Chief emphasized that the Lompoc Police Department has had zero violations regarding data access and that internal guardrails, including third-party verification by supervisors, are in place.
• Public comment was opened for two minutes per speaker. Several residents expressed opposition to the system, citing concerns about:
• Data Privacy and Storage: The data is stored in a cloud server in Georgia, accessible by other agencies, and potentially subject to future AI analytics without city council approval.
• Surveillance of Vulnerable Populations: Cameras are concentrated in lower-income neighborhoods, leading to concerns about disproportionate surveillance of people of color and those with fewer economic resources.
• Lack of Transparency: Residents noted that the city’s ALPR privacy policy was difficult to locate on the police department’s website, contrary to SB 34 requirements for prominent display.
• Misuse and Errors: Speakers cited cases where innocent individuals were detained due to misread license plates or erroneous "hot list" entries.
• Alternative Funding: Multiple speakers requested that the city terminate the Flock contract and reallocate the approximately $100,000 annual cost to community-based violence intervention, youth programs, or mental health services.
• Legal Precedents: One speaker referenced a federal judge’s ruling in Oklahoma that Flock searches violated the Fourth Amendment, though the Chief of Police asked for clarification on the status of that case.

Council Deliberation

• Council members discussed the distribution of cameras, noting that many are installed by the Housing Authority or private entities rather than the city. The Chief of Police clarified that the city pays for cameras at entry and exit points, while other cameras are on private or housing authority property. Council members debated whether the city could opt out of receiving data streams from Housing Authority cameras to address concerns about surveillance in specific neighborhoods. The Chief indicated this was technically possible but would require coordination with the Housing Authority.

Motion and Vote

• A council member moved to form an ad hoc committee consisting of two council members to further investigate the issue, hear additional public input, and bring a report back to the full council. The motion specified that the committee’s task would be to report back to the council. Another council member seconded the motion.
• Vote Outcome: Passed (5-0).

Agenda Item: Temporary Pause on Negotiations

Discussion

• The council discussed a request from two communities to temporarily pause negotiations until after the upcoming election, allowing the new council composition to make decisions.

Public Comment

• No public comments were received for this item.

Decision

• The council closed public comment and moved to the next item without a recorded vote or specific motion in this transcript segment.

Agenda Item: General Communications (3 Minutes)

Public Comment

• AAUW Forum Announcement: A representative announced a nonpartisan candidate forum for the upcoming mayoral and council elections, scheduled for October 8th at City Hall.
• Criticism of Council Engagement: A resident criticized two council members for not asking questions during the Flock discussion, urging them to engage with constituents.
• Disability Employment: The CEO of Path to Achievement advocated for the city to prioritize hiring individuals with economic disabilities and to train HR staff on ADA compliance and available tax credits.
• Sewer Bill Increases: A resident reported a 360% increase in their sewer bill following a software transition. They requested that the city place the issue on a future agenda, provide a report on affected residents, and conduct an independent financial impact study, citing the lack of a comprehensive utility rate study.
• Utility Commission Functioning: The Vice Chair of the Lompoc Utility Commission stated that the commission is not functioning effectively because department representatives (Water, Solid Waste, Finance) are not attending meetings to answer questions. They requested the City Manager direct the Utility Director to ensure staff attendance to allow the commission to fulfill its advisory role.
• First Amendment and Non-Profit Concerns: A resident discussed First Amendment rights regarding public filming and raised concerns about a local non-profit agency allegedly engaging in political campaigning in violation of federal law.

Agenda Item: Appointments

Discussion

• The council began discussing two appointments. A council member asked for clarification on whether the nominees were seeking the same terms and requested an explanation of the process from staff. The transcript ends before a motion or vote is recorded for this item.

Youth Commission Appointments

• The City Clerk reported that Cesar Magana is available for a youth member term and Esteban Magana is available for an associate member term. A motion was made to appoint Cesar Magana to the youth member term ending in January 2027 and Esteban Magana to the associate member term ending in January 2028. The motion was seconded. The appointment was approved.

Landfill Tipping Fees for Non-City Solid Waste Customers

• The Management Services Director presented a request to increase landfill tipping fees for customers who are not city solid waste collection customers. The proposal suggests a 1.5x rate multiplier for non-residents, which would raise the fee from $115 per ton to $172.50 per ton. Staff noted that this rate would be higher than the Santa Maria landfill ($105/ton) but lower than Tahegas (over $200/ton). Staff outlined potential impacts, including longer lines, ID checks, software updates, and the possibility of illegal dumping. Staff also noted that major commercial customers, such as Marborg, have indicated they would continue using the Lompoc landfill and pass costs to their out-of-area customers.
• Council discussion focused on the financial health of the solid waste utility, which is currently running a deficit and not meeting reserve requirements. Some council members questioned the necessity of the increase based on comparables to other cities and raised concerns about the economic impact on out-of-area residents and the potential for illegal dumping. Other council members argued that Lompoc residents are currently subsidizing out-of-area users who utilize city streets and infrastructure without paying property taxes, and that the landfill has a finite lifespan with long-term environmental maintenance costs borne by the city.
• Public comment included support for the fee increase to ensure fairness regarding long-term landfill liabilities and to address the disparity in rates between Lompoc residents and out-of-area users. Another commenter raised concerns about road damage in alleys caused by waste trucks and unrelated issues regarding disability discrimination in hiring.
• A motion was made to approve a 1.5x rate multiplier for the minimum fee and tonnage fee for non-city solid waste customers, while leaving the car load fee unchanged. The motion was seconded. The motion passed 4-1. The City Manager requested that the effective date align with July 1st to allow for notice to commercial customers.

Granite Peak LLC Memorandum of Understanding (Bodger Meadows)

• The City Attorney presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) requested by the applicant, Granite Peak Lompoc LLC, for the Bodger Meadows development project (200 single-family and 140 multifamily units) located just outside city limits. The County of Santa Barbara requires this MOU to proceed with the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under CEQA. The MOU outlines rough terms for out-of-area utility service (water and wastewater at 1.5x rates, solid waste at 2x rates) if the project is not annexed into the city. The City Attorney clarified that the MOU is not a binding guarantee of service and includes a clause allowing the city to terminate the agreement at any time.
• Council discussion centered on the risk of signing the MOU versus the risk of delaying the project. Some council members expressed concern that the language could be interpreted as a commitment to provide out-of-area services and proposed adding specific clauses to condition occupancy and service on annexation. The applicant’s representative explained that the MOU is a procedural requirement for the county’s EIR and that the project intends to be annexed, noting that out-of-area rates would be unattractive to residents. The City Attorney confirmed that the termination clause provides the city with the ability to exit the agreement if annexation does not occur.
• Public comment was not received via phone or Teams.
• A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation to sign the MOU. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. Additionally, a council request was made to bring back an ordinance at the next meeting that would prohibit the city from providing new out-of-area utility services to properties not annexed into city limits, with existing customers grandfathered in. This request was supported by multiple council members.

General Council Comments and Requests

• Pale Blue Dot Ventures: The CEO requested a one-year extension for the Space Base California project, noting that the request is pending. Council members discussed the possibility of a one- or two-year extension to be addressed at the next meeting.
• Fire Department Status: A council member requested an update from the Fire Chief on the department’s staffing and operational health, noting that the Chief indicated conditions have changed since the last presentation. The City Manager expressed a preference to work through operational and legal details before providing a formal update, but agreed to provide an update on the department’s health.
• Commission Recommendations: A council member proposed a policy change requiring staff agenda items to include the recommendation of the relevant commission. The City Attorney suggested bringing this back as a discussion item to address logistics.
• Rate Studies: A council member requested a schedule of upcoming utility rate studies.
• Caltrans Roundabout: The Mayor provided a response from Caltrans regarding the proposed roundabout at Sweeney Road and Highway 246, which will be shared with the public.
• Rebate Analytics: The Mayor noted that a document regarding rebate errors is coming to the next agenda.
• Utility Commission Meetings: The Mayor expressed concern about the lack of staff attendance at Utility Commission meetings and requested that the City Manager ensure directors attend to provide reports on facility operations.
• Sewer Bill Rate Increases: The Mayor requested that staff bring back a presentation on sewer bill rate increase parameters, specifically regarding the removal of a limiter on annual rate increases, to discuss potential reinstatement of such limits.

Request for Information via City Manager

• A discussion occurred regarding a request to Mr. Cross. It was determined that the request should be routed through the City Manager. A member confirmed support for this approach and stated they would proceed with the request through the City Manager. No formal motion, vote, or decision was recorded in this segment.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled for October 20th at 6:30 p.m.