Meeting Summary
Present: 1-Infanti, 3-Smith, 2-Orona, Brown
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
Memorial Day Proclamation
- The Mayor presented a proclamation honoring fallen service members and designating May 25–26 as Memorial Day.
- The Council directed that flags on municipal buildings be flown at half-staff during the observance.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
- Staff presented four financing options for the $18.5 million project, including private loans, revenue bonds, and a USDA loan.
- Council members discussed the trade-offs between loan terms, annual ratepayer costs, and generational equity.
- Potential regional partnerships with neighboring cities to share capacity were explored without formal action taken.
Sister City Program Goals
- Discussion centered on defining the program goal as either a specific relationship with Denmark or broader cultural preservation.
- The Council approved the item to foster cultural heritage and brand preservation, with a sister city relationship as a potential method.
Law Enforcement Services and Contract Evaluation
- Staff reported a 107% cost increase over ten years for the current Sheriff's Office contract and recommended exploring alternatives.
- The Council directed staff to negotiate with the City of Lompoc for police services starting July 1, 2027.
- Simultaneously, staff were authorized to negotiate a one-year extension option with the Sheriff's Office as a contingency.
Land Use, Zoning, and Temporary Use Permits
- Staff presented options to modernize noise ordinances and adjust Temporary Use Permit (TUP) requirements for live entertainment.
- The Council adopted a modified approach to remove TUP requirements for free live entertainment while retaining them for other uses.
- Staff were instructed to draft new noise ordinance provisions distinguishing between indoor and outdoor music and exploring decibel thresholds.
- The Council decided to maintain the current $50 vendor fee for private events without implementing a tiered structure.
Utility Rate Review Committee
- A motion to formally establish a Utility Rate Review Committee was initially passed but subsequently rescinded due to Brown Act concerns.
- Staff were directed to form the committee through a volunteer process managed by the City Manager to avoid open meeting requirements.
User and Regulatory Fee Adjustments
- The Council approved Resolution 261318 to update user and regulatory fees based on the Consumer Price Index.
- The new fee schedule is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, to support service cost recovery.
Website Design Services Contract
- Staff recommended rejecting all RFP proposals as non-substantive and awarding the contract via sole source to Tom Jones and Associates.
- The Council approved the sole source award for a time-and-materials contract ranging from $50,000 to $75,000.
- The Mayor was authorized to execute the agreement to ensure ADA compliance and transition to a .gov domain.
Closed Session
- The Council met in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation.
- The City Attorney reported that direction was given to initiate legal action, with specific details withheld pending formal commencement.
Full summary
Closed Session
- The meeting commenced with a closed session regarding a conference with legal counsel concerning anticipated litigation. Following the session, the City Attorney reported that direction was given to initiate legal action. Specific details regarding defendants and other particulars were withheld pending the formal commencement of the action. The closed session was adjourned.
Open Session: Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- The open session was called to order at 6:30 PM. Roll call was taken, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Memorial Day Proclamation
- The Mayor presented a Memorial Day proclamation, which was read into the record. The proclamation honored fallen service members, recognized May 25–26 as Memorial Day, and directed that flags be flown at half-staff on municipal buildings.
Public Communications (Non-Agenda Items)
- Two members of the public addressed the Council:
- William Dentel spoke regarding the Alice Hall Commons/Glenway project, expressing concerns that the proposed 88-unit apartment complex is oversized for the single-family neighborhood, creates excessive hardscape and parking, and exacerbates traffic congestion. He also raised concerns regarding environmental impact, lack of nearby shopping and public transportation, and the potential for short-term rentals. He requested that the neighborhood be kept informed and suggested the project be reconsidered to include smaller, lower-profile buildings.
- Denise Alameen addressed a dispute regarding a late fee charged on her December 2025 water bill. She stated that the due date fell on a city holiday (December 25), and she was charged a late fee despite paying on the next business day. She noted that the April 2026 bill states late fees are not applied if the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, yet the December fee was applied. She requested a specific answer regarding why the fee was charged and why the City's response to her online complaint addressed unrelated account history rather than her specific question.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades (Presentation)
- Staff and financial consultants from NHA Advisors presented financing options for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades Project, estimated at $18.5 million. The presentation noted that the Wastewater Enterprise Fund has moved to positive net revenues following rate increases. Four financing options were compared: 1. Private Bank Loan (Private Placement): A 20-year term at approximately 5% interest, offering quick execution and flexible prepayment but higher annual payments. 2. Public Offering (Revenue Bonds): 30-year and 35-year terms with lower interest rates than the USDA option, involving a longer process, credit rating requirements, and potential prepayment lockouts. 3. USDA Loan: A 40-year term at approximately 4.75% interest, offering the lowest annual payment and longest term. This option includes a potential $1 million grant and allows for rate adjustments if rates drop prior to funding, but requires a lengthy application process and interim construction financing.
- Discussion ensued regarding the applicability of the $1 million grant, with staff clarifying it is likely specific to the USDA loan package. Council members discussed generational equity, the useful life of the treatment plant (approaching 40 years), and the impact of loan terms on annual ratepayer costs. The City Manager noted that a shorter-term loan would result in approximately $600,000 higher annual payments, translating to roughly $25 more per month for ratepayers. Council members also discussed potential regional partnerships with the City of Los Olivos and San Ynez to share capacity and costs. Staff indicated Los Olivos could potentially buy into approximately 10% of the capacity. The timeline for construction was noted as commencing in the second quarter of the following year, with completion expected in mid-2029. No formal action or direction was requested or taken during this presentation.
City Manager's Report
- The City Manager announced the upcoming "Den Gulden Have" (Golden Garden) awards for drought tolerance, beauty, and defensible space. He noted that the next Council meeting will include a request for direction on pursuing the relinquishment of Mission Drive (State Route 246) from Caltrans. Regarding the Ethics Code and a cease and desist request, staff indicated these items are in the queue and expected to be presented at the next meeting.
Councilmember Reports
- Councilmembers reported on their attendance at various meetings, including the Chamber of Commerce, Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, Revenue Measures Oversight Committee, Buellton State of the City address, and the Chumash Museum anniversary. One Councilmember raised concerns regarding the sound system and lighting at the Memorial Day venue, requesting staff investigate the electrical issues. Another Councilmember requested a separate traffic study for the Alice Hall Commons/Glenway project to assess vehicle trips and impacts on the single route serving the neighborhood, particularly regarding evacuation plans and the lack of local commercial services. The Mayor reported on attendance at SCAG, United Way, and APCD meetings, as well as the Chumash Museum opening and Memorial Day events. He noted the demolition of the Water Wheel Fire building and an upcoming housing summit at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Consent Items
- The Clerk read the consent agenda, which included routine administrative matters. Councilmember Infante requested to pull Item E (Sister City Program goals) from the consent agenda for separate discussion, expressing concern that the goals lacked a defined outcome for residents and visitors. A motion was made to approve Consent Items A through D, F through H, and J (excluding Item E). The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Item 6E: Sister City Program Goals
- Following the consent vote, the Council discussed Item 6E regarding the Sister City Program goals. Discussion focused on whether the goal should be defined specifically as establishing a sister city relationship with Denmark or more broadly as fostering cultural heritage and brand preservation, with the sister city relationship serving as a method to achieve that broader goal. Concerns were raised about making the goal dependent on a specific external relationship versus setting a broader objective. The City Manager noted the sister city relationship is part of a larger effort to protect the city's brand and culture. A motion was made to approve Item 6E. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 8A: Law Enforcement Services and Contract Evaluation
- Staff presented a report regarding the evaluation of the current contract with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office and the potential for contracting with the City of Lompoc Police Department. The report highlighted a 107% cost increase over ten years for the Sheriff's contract, rising to an estimated $3.4 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, alongside concerns regarding service levels, accountability, and transparency. Staff recommended a two-track approach: authorizing negotiations with the City of Lompoc for police services with a target start date of July 1, 2027, and simultaneously negotiating a one-year extension option with the Sheriff's Office as a contingency. Chief Kevin Martin of the Lompoc Police Department attended to answer questions regarding fleet services, staffing, transparency reporting, and the feasibility of the transition. Council members discussed the cost per resident, the need for transparency, and the details of a potential transition. Public comment was closed with no speakers. A motion was made to direct staff to advance discussions with the City of Lompoc for the provision of police services and to engage in negotiations with the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office for a one-year extension option. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Item 8B: Land Use, Zoning, and Temporary Use Permits (TUP)
- Staff presented a report on land use and zoning for the Mission Santa Ynez site and the Temporary Use Permit (TUP) process for live entertainment and vendor fees. Regarding the Mission Santa Ynez, staff recommended no changes to the underlying land use and zoning. Regarding live entertainment, staff outlined three options: (1) maintain the current TUP process with a $200 annual fee and enforce the existing subjective noise ordinance; (2) allow live entertainment as an ancillary use by right for restaurants, eliminating the TUP requirement while keeping the noise ordinance unchanged; or (3) modernize the noise ordinance to use decibel standards and allow live entertainment by right, which would suspend the TUP program indefinitely. Staff also discussed vendor fees for TUP events, noting the current $50 fee per vendor for those without a business certificate and the option to implement a tiered fee system. Council members questioned the rationale and proportionality of the vendor fees, the impact on small businesses, and the enforcement mechanisms for noise and occupancy. Public comment was received from a business owner urging the elimination of TUP fees for live music and a resident expressing confusion regarding the scope of the discussion and concerns about increased traffic and noise.
Agenda Item: Live Entertainment, Noise Ordinances, and Temporary Use Permits (TUP)
- Discussion focused on the regulation of live entertainment, noise enforcement, and the TUP process. Staff explained the current code complaint process for noise, which involves review, letters, and fines after repeated violations, noting that the current ordinance is based on "nuisance" rather than specific decibel thresholds. Council members discussed the economic importance of live music for local businesses and the need to balance this with noise control. Concerns were raised regarding the distinction between free and paid entertainment, outdoor versus indoor noise, and the potential for creating noisy neighborhoods.
- A motion was made to adopt a modified Option 3. This direction instructs staff to: 1. Leave the mission statement regarding zoning and land use as is. 2. Remove the requirement for a TUP for live entertainment that does not have a cover charge, while retaining the TUP for other temporary uses. 3. Update the noise ordinance to include specific provisions distinguishing between indoor and outdoor live music. 4. Explore options for construction noise hours and objective decibel thresholds for the noise ordinance. 5. Pause TUP enforcement for live entertainment until the new ordinance is drafted and presented.
- The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Following this, the Council discussed the $50 vendor fee for private events. Staff noted that while a tiered fee structure could be explored, it would increase administrative effort. The Council decided to maintain the current $50 vendor fee without exploring a tiered structure at this time.
Agenda Item 8C: Establishment of a Utility Rate Review Committee (URRC)
- Staff presented a proposal to establish a Utility Rate Review Committee to oversee a comprehensive water and wastewater rate study. The committee would be advisory only, with no decision-making authority, and would include two Council members, three public members, and relevant staff. The goal is to increase transparency and public engagement regarding potential rate increases and service delivery models, including privatization. The committee was expected to meet four to six times over a nine-month period.
- A motion was made to establish the committee as described. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Subsequently, a procedural discussion arose regarding the Brown Act and the composition of the committee. It was determined that a committee created by the Council including public members and staff would be subject to Brown Act open meeting requirements. A motion was made to reconsider and rescind the previous action to establish the URRC. The motion was seconded. The vote to rescind the previous action passed. Staff was directed to proceed with forming the committee through a volunteer process managed by the City Manager, rather than a formal Council appointment, to avoid Brown Act applicability.
Agenda Item 8D: Resolution 261318 – User and Regulatory Fee Adjustments
- Staff presented Resolution 261318 to update user and regulatory fees based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area, as authorized by a previous resolution. The adjustments are intended to keep pace with inflation and support service cost recovery. The new fee schedule is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Staff confirmed that the CPI adjustment is applied annually, with a comprehensive fee study conducted every five years to ensure fees do not exceed actual costs. A motion was made to approve Resolution 261318 and the associated CPI adjustments. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Agenda Item: Continuation of Meeting
- A motion was made to continue the meeting past the scheduled time to complete the agenda. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item 8E: Award of Contract for Website Design Services
- Staff reported on the Request for Proposal (RFP) for website design services to ensure ADA compliance and transition to a .gov domain. Of 21 proposals received, staff recommended rejecting all of them as non-substantive. Staff proposed awarding the contract via sole source to Tom Jones and Associates (TJA), a current vendor for the city's tourism website. TJA proposed a time-and-materials contract with a range of $50,000 to $75,000. Staff justified the sole source award by citing the lack of compliant proposals in the RFP, TJA's familiarity with the city's systems, and their use of open-source software (WordPress) which offers long-term flexibility compared to proprietary solutions offered by other bidders. A motion was made to reject all prior RFP proposals and award the contract to Tom Jones and Associates for website design services and content management system. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Authorization of Agreement with TJA Associates
- Following a confirmation of the roll call, a motion was passed with a vote of 5-0. A clarification was subsequently requested regarding whether the motion included authorization for the Mayor to execute the agreement with TJA Associates. The Mayor confirmed that the motion did include this authorization.
Closing Comments and Adjournment
- The Mayor offered closing remarks, extending congratulations to graduates. The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 p.m.