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
Proclamations
- The council adopted three proclamations recognizing Fire Prevention Week, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the SBCAG 60th Anniversary.
- Fire Prevention Week highlighted safe charging practices for lithium-ion batteries.
- The SBCAG proclamation commemorated the regional partnership established in 1966.
Urban Water Management and Water Shortage Contingency Plans
- Staff presented updates to the Urban Water Management Plan, confirming sufficient water supplies through 2050 under various drought scenarios.
- The council moved permanent state-mandated conservation requirements into the municipal code to clarify the Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
- An ordinance was introduced to amend the code with restrictions such as automatic shutoff nozzles and prohibitions on watering non-functional turf.
- The council voted to approve the plan updates, rescind the Stage 2 water shortage condition, and adopt the code amendments.
Oral Reports of Council Members
- Council members reported on attendance at various community events, board meetings, and civic functions since the last meeting.
- Reports included participation in the Chamber of Commerce Gala, Law Enforcement Appreciation Night, and the Mayor’s Youth Council.
- One member reported on the conclusion of Measure C town halls and the formation of a State Route 135 Community Focus Group.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Public Comment
- The council received public comment from multiple residents and community representatives. Speakers addressed several topics, including:
- Library Services: Information was provided regarding the Santa Maria Public Library’s card registration process, hours, and the California State Library Parks Pass and Adventure Backpack program.
- Mobile Home Housing: A resident representing the North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team (NESBIT) discussed the 2020 model lease and enforcement agreement, noting that the council had previously passed a motion to improve or replace it. The speaker requested that the council investigate rent stabilization programs in neighboring jurisdictions and move forward with replacing the model lease with a mandatory rent stabilization program.
- Immigration Enforcement: Multiple speakers, including representatives from Proyecto Mixteco Indígena, MICOP, and individual residents, expressed concern over recent ICE enforcement activities in the city. Speakers cited the separation of families, the impact on local workers, and the fear within the community. Several speakers requested specific actions from the council, including establishing an ad hoc immigration committee, prohibiting ICE entry into city facilities, allocating funds for legal aid, and ending contracts with agencies that collaborate with ICE. Other speakers expressed disappointment with the council’s response to these events.
- Regional Partnership: A representative from the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) thanked the city for recognizing the 60th anniversary of the regional partnership. The speaker outlined SBCAG’s role in transportation planning, including the State Route 135 Comprehensive Corridor Study and Measure A projects such as the Santa Maria River Bridge and Union Valley Parkway Interchange.
- Domestic Violence Awareness: A representative from Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County thanked the council for recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and invited the public to an upcoming walk event.
Agenda Item: Consent Calendar (Items 4A-3 and 4A-4)
- Item 4A-3: Adoption of a resolution approving a wage and benefits package for non-represented management and confidential employees, including a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for certain classifications and full coverage of CalPERS Gold benefits for 2027.
- Item 4A-4: Adoption of a resolution approving a wage and benefits package for public safety managers, including an increase in the city’s contribution to health benefits premiums and full coverage of CalPERS Gold benefits for 2027.
- Staff presented the items, clarifying that there was no lapse in contracts and that the benefits rates were being updated during open enrollment. Council Member Soto requested that the items be pulled from the consent calendar for separate discussion and vote. After discussion and questions regarding the contract status and benefit tiers, the council voted on the items.
- Motion: To approve Items 4A-3 and 4A-4.
- Second: Seconded.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Agenda Item: Proclamations
- The council presented and adopted three proclamations: 1. Fire Prevention Week: Proclaiming October 4–10 as Fire Prevention Week, with a focus on safe charging practices for lithium-ion batteries. 2. Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month: Recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and honoring the work of Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County. 3. SBCAG 60th Anniversary: Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and recognizing the regional partnership established in 1966.
Agenda Item: Public Hearing – Urban Water Management and Water Shortage Contingency Plans
- Staff presented updates to the city’s Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and Water Shortage Contingency Plan. The presentation included:
- UWMP Update: The plan is required every five years by the Urban Water Management Planning Act. Staff reported that the city’s water supplies are sufficient to meet projected needs through the planning horizon of 2050, including under various drought scenarios. The plan includes provisions for additional groundwater wells to ensure supply stability.
- Water Shortage Contingency Plan: Staff explained that the city has been in Stage 1 or Stage 2 water shortage conditions since 2014 to comply with temporary state-mandated conservation requirements. Since these requirements have become permanent (e.g., via Assembly Bill 1572), staff proposed moving these permanent restrictions into the municipal code. This would allow the Water Shortage Contingency Plan to focus solely on responding to actual future water supply shortages.
- Ordinance Amendment: An ordinance was introduced to amend the municipal code to reflect these permanent water use restrictions, including prohibitions on watering non-functional turf and requirements for automatic shutoff nozzles on hoses.
- Rescission of Stage 2: Staff recommended rescinding the Stage 2 water shortage condition, as the city’s water supply is stable and the previous conditions were based on temporary mandates that are now codified in the municipal code.
- Council members asked questions regarding the impact of climate change on water supply, the role of Twitchell Reservoir in groundwater recharge, and the timeline for state water allocations. Staff confirmed that the city’s water supply is safe and stable and that the changes provide greater clarity for residents and future planning.
- Motion: To approve the resolution adopting the Urban Water Management Plan, amending the Water Shortage Contingency Plan, rescinding the Stage 2 water shortage condition, and introducing the ordinance amending the municipal code.
- Second: Seconded.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Agenda Item: Oral Reports of Council Members
- Council members provided oral reports on their activities since the last meeting, including attendance at community events, board meetings, and civic functions. Reports included participation in the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce Gala, the Law Enforcement Appreciation Night, the Santa Maria Barbecue Festival, the Mayor’s Youth Council meetings, the Calico Board meeting, the Maintenance Superintendents Conference, the LAFCO meeting, and the Filipino American History Month celebration. Council Member Soto also reported on the conclusion of town hall meetings for Measure C and the formation of a State Route 135 Community Focus Group.