City Council — February 9, 2026

Meeting Summary

Present: 1-Infanti, 3-Smith, 2-Orona, Brown

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Staff presented mid-year budget adjustments including a $1.4 million revenue increase from the Transient Occupancy Tax.
Council members inquired about specific expense overruns in custodial services and power pumping costs.
The motion passed after correcting a typographical error in the legal fees budget calculation.

Staff requested a $30,000 budget adjustment to contract for a GIS database of city curb markings.
The inventory project aims to assist with parking assessments and the enforcement of future codes.
Council members discussed utilizing the data to identify unauthorized painted curbs and legitimate zones.

The council entered a special session to negotiate price and terms for property at 4784th Place.
The City Manager acted as the City Negotiator while the CRA Solvang RELLC served as the Negotiating Party.
The City Attorney reported no reportable action resulting from the closed session discussion.

Agenda Item: Conference with real property negotiators pursuant to Government Code 54956.8.
Discussion: The council entered a closed session to discuss Property 4784th Place, APN 139173014. The City Manager served as the City Negotiator and CRA Solvange RELLC as the Negotiating Party. Discussions concerned price and terms.
Outcome: The City Attorney reported no reportable action resulting from the closed session. The session concluded without further action.

Roll Call and Pledge: The meeting reconvened at 6:30 p.m. A quorum was established, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Topic: Temporary Use Permit (TUP) fee for live music.
Discussion: Four members of the public addressed the council regarding a proposed $200 temporary use permit requirement for businesses hosting live music. Speakers included business owners and musicians. They argued that the fee creates a financial barrier for small businesses, increases overhead costs alongside utilities and rent, and disincentivizes live music which supports the local economy and nightlife. They requested the council reconsider or remove the fee.
Council Response: Council members acknowledged the comments regarding the impact on the business community. Staff indicated that the issue would be revisited under a different agenda item for further discussion.

Topic: Government Code Section 53232.3 and Government Code Section 84308.
Discussion: Council members provided reports on various activities, including attendance at the Santa Ynez Foundation Aquatics Polar Bear Plunge, a webinar on ballot measures and candidate elections, a council goal-setting strategy session, a community rally, and a multi-stakeholder meeting regarding the cross-trail multimodal project.
Outcome: Informational. No motion or vote was taken.

Topic: Routine administrative city matters.
Discussion: Council Member Infante requested Item 6E be pulled from the consent agenda for separate consideration. Item 6E concerned a contract extension. Questions were raised regarding a significant increase in the contract's total obligation and hourly rates (approximately 50% increase in total value and an hourly rate increase from $90 to $122). Staff explained the increase was due to insurance requirements, labor costs, and meeting duration minimums. Council Member Infante expressed concern regarding fee increases and the need for fiscal diligence. Staff noted the contract term extended until 2027 or 2028.
Motion: A motion was made to approve Consent Items 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6F, 6G, 6H, and 6I. A separate motion was made to approve Item 6E.
Outcome: Both motions passed.

Topic: Approval of mid-year budget adjustments for the period of July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Discussion: Staff presented adjustments incorporating updated revenue projections and expenditures. Proposed changes included a $1.4 million increase in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue. Expense adjustments included $357,350 for the General Fund Administration, $30,000 for Measure U, $135,864 for Water, and $34,969 for Sewer. Council members questioned specific expense overruns, including an $80,000 custodial overrun and a $132,000 power pumping increase. Staff attributed the custodial increase to employee turnover and emergency cleaning needs, and the power pumping increase to higher electrical costs and aquifer conditions. A discrepancy in the legal fees budget (listed as $610,000 versus a calculated $411,000) was identified as a typo and corrected.
Motion: A motion was made to approve Item 8A as edited to reflect the corrected legal fees budget.
Outcome: The motion passed.

Topic: Budget adjustment to enable a citywide curb marking inventory.
Discussion: Staff requested a $30,000 budget adjustment to contract with Z World GIS for creating a GIS database of curb markings. The project aims to inventory existing markings (green, red, white, yellow) to assist with parking assessments, enforceability, and future code development. Council members discussed the utility of the data in identifying unauthorized "bootleg" painted curbs and determining legitimate parking zones.
Motion: A motion was made to approve the $30,000 budget adjustment.
Outcome: The motion passed.

Action: The Mayor wished the community well for the upcoming holiday weekend. The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.