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
Proclamation: Anne McCarty Retirement
- The Mayor presented a proclamation honoring Anne McCarty for over 30 years of service to the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center.
- The recognition highlighted her leadership in human trafficking advocacy and her decade as Executive Director.
- Ms. McCarty accepted the honor, and no formal motion or vote was taken.
Security Services Agreement
- The Mayor requested separate discussion to clarify that the agreement covered the Veterans Building but not Solvang Park.
- Staff confirmed Solvang Park was not budgeted in the current agreement but could be added via future amendment.
- The council approved the agreement as written with a directive for staff to discuss potential amendments with the contractor.
Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Report
- Staff reported a 3.5% vacancy rate for 2025 and explained that the retention rate exceeded 100% due to increased employee counts.
- The public hearing was opened to receive and file the annual report pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3.
- The council unanimously voted to receive and file the report after closing the public hearing.
Appropriation Limit Resolution
- Staff presented Resolution 26-1322 to amend the Gann Limit for fiscal years 2026-27 to $27,380,109 based on population and income.
- Clarification was provided that the limit is set annually by statutory factors and does not change with budget amendments.
- The council unanimously adopted the resolution following the public hearing.
Intellectual Property Assets and Website Disclaimers
- Legal counsel presented on trademark and copyright laws regarding City assets like the website and the "Danish Capital of America" slogan.
- The council debated the cost-benefit of formal registration versus adopting protective policies and cease-and-desist letters.
- Staff was directed to add protective disclaimers to city websites and adopt a policy of issuing cease-and-desist letters without pursuing formal registration.
Biennial Budget Adoption
- Staff presented the biennial budget for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28, noting a General Fund surplus and a renewed janitorial contract.
- Discussion addressed revenue reliance on tourism and property taxes, as well as projected deficits in enterprise funds due to capital projects.
- The council unanimously adopted Resolution 26-1323 to approve the budget following public comment.
Salary Range Schedule for Non-Represented Employees
- Staff presented Resolution 26-1324 to authorize a 4% cost of living adjustment for non-represented exempt employees effective July 1, 2026.
- Clarification was made that the adjustment applies only to the 2026-27 fiscal year and does not extend to represented employees.
- The council unanimously adopted the resolution to set the new salary range schedule.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. A roll call confirmed the presence of all council members and the Mayor.
Proclamation: Anne McCarty Retirement
- The Mayor presented a proclamation honoring Anne McCarty for her retirement after more than 30 years of service to the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center, including 10 years as Executive Director. The proclamation recognized her work in integrating human trafficking advocacy, her leadership on task forces, and her community impact. Ms. McCarty accepted the honor. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Public Communications
- Two members of the public addressed the council on items not on the agenda. Denise Ellamine questioned the allocation of $150,000 for crossing guard services compared to a $1.5 million contract with the Sheriff's Department and raised concerns regarding the Water Quality Project agreement with Carrillo Engineers, citing budget pressures. Bill Bulow, General Manager of the San Ynez River Water Conservation District, addressed the City's objection to the District's rate study, clarifying that the District does not grant or take away water rights and noting that edits were made to address the City's concerns. He urged collaboration over litigation.
City Manager's Report
- The City Manager provided updates on several topics:
- 4th of July Event: Residents were reminded that personal items may be placed along the parade route no sooner than 6:00 p.m. on July 3rd, with a reminder to keep sidewalks clear for ADA compliance and safety.
- Freedmen's Board Canyon: A one-way analysis survey is nearing completion and will be presented to the council soon.
- Golden Garden Awards: The nomination period for the awards has been extended to the end of June.
- Fire Safety: A recent small fire at the Mission property caused by disking was discussed. The City is working with adjacent jurisdictions on a community wildfire protection plan, with funding allocated in the upcoming budget.
Ex Parte Communications
- Council members and staff reported on recent activities:
- Council Member Infante: Attended the Santa Barbara Library Advisory Committee meeting.
- Mayor Pro Tem Smith: Reported attending various community events, including the Lompoc Theater Project tour and the Elver Hoy Museum fundraiser.
- City Clerk: Discussed Parks and Recreation long-term planning and the anticipated late fall opening of the Senior Center. She requested the Design Guidebook be placed on the agenda within 30 days and asked for a traffic study regarding the Alice L. Glenn project.
- City Manager: Reported on the Design Guidebook's anticipated review by the Planning Commission, attendance at the SCAG meeting regarding Highway 101, and the California League of Cities meeting. He raised concerns regarding the high cost of public records requests and requested staff explore options to recoup costs.
- Mayor Brown: Requested to revisit the Code of Ethics to propose an amendment addressing fabricated or malicious allegations. The council agreed to bring the item back to the agenda for future discussion but took no action on the amendment at this time.
Consent Agenda
- The consent agenda included routine administrative matters. The Mayor requested to pull Item 6D (Security Services Agreement) for separate discussion. A motion was made to approve consent items 6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, and 6F. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Item 6D: Security Services Agreement
- The Mayor raised concerns that the agreement covered the Veterans Building but did not explicitly include Solvang Park. Staff clarified that Solvang Park was not budgeted in the current agreement but could be added via amendment, noting that security for private events is typically paid by the organizer. The City Clerk suggested increasing Sheriff's presence as an alternative. The council decided to approve the agreement as written, with staff to discuss availability with the contractor for potential future amendments. A motion to approve Item 6D was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Public Hearing: Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Report (Item 7A)
- A public hearing was opened to receive and file the annual report on job vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3. Staff reported a 3.5% vacancy rate for 2025. Discussion addressed the retention rate calculation, which exceeded 100% due to an increase in total employee count. A motion was made to receive and file the report. The motion was seconded. The public hearing was closed, and the motion passed unanimously.
Public Hearing: Appropriation Limit Resolution (Item 7B)
- A public hearing was opened to consider Resolution 26-1322, amending the appropriation limit (Gann Limit) for fiscal years 2026-27. Staff explained the limit is calculated based on population and per capita personal income, resulting in a limit of $27,380,109, which is well above the City's anticipated general fund revenues. A public comment questioned if the limit changes with budget amendments; staff clarified it is set annually based on statutory factors. A motion was made to adopt Resolution 26-1322. The motion was seconded. The public hearing was closed, and the motion passed unanimously.
Item 8A: Intellectual Property Assets
- The council discussed the registration and enforcement of intellectual property assets. The Mayor recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Matthew Smith, outside legal counsel, presented on trademark and copyright laws, covering source identifiers, rights arising from use versus registration, enforcement procedures, and specific City assets such as the website and the "Danish Capital of America" slogan. Discussion focused on website ownership, the distinction between work-for-hire and third-party content, and the necessity of registration versus relying on notices. Council members debated the cost-benefit analysis of a comprehensive audit and registration versus adopting a policy of protective language and cease-and-desist letters. No formal motion was moved or voted upon during this segment. The council provided informal direction to staff to add protective language to the City's government website.
Copyright Protection and Website Disclaimers (Continuation)
- Discussion concluded regarding the costs of copyright registration (approximately $100) versus existing protections. The council determined that implementing proper copyright disclaimers on all city websites and issuing cease-and-desist letters for unauthorized use would provide sufficient protection. The council directed staff to ensure appropriate disclaimers are placed on city websites and to adopt a policy of sending cease-and-desist letters, deciding not to pursue further formal copyright registration or legal action at this time.
Item 8B: Adoption of Biennial Budget for Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28
- Staff presented Resolution 26-1323 to adopt the biennial budget. The presentation detailed revenue and expense projections, noting a General Fund surplus excluding Measure U expenses. Updates included a renewed janitorial contract with Extreme Clean increasing expenses by $20,282. Staff outlined the General Fund's reliance on Tourism Occupancy Tax and property tax, and discussed Measure U funding for law enforcement and capital projects. Enterprise funds for water and wastewater showed projected deficits attributed to planned capital projects and pending USDA loan funding. Council members questioned the breakdown of law enforcement funding and the nature of community agency contributions. Following discussion and public comment, a motion was made to adopt Resolution 26-1323. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 8C: Adoption of Salary Range Schedule for Non-Represented Employees
- Staff presented Resolution 26-1324 to set a new salary range schedule for non-represented exempt employees, effective July 1, 2026. The resolution authorizes a 4% cost of living adjustment (COLA) included in the biennial budget, applicable to the 2026-27 fiscal year. Staff clarified that the adjustment is a step up in the salary range and does not automatically extend to subsequent years. The resolution does not apply to represented employees. Following discussion regarding the duration of the adjustment and the distinction between salary caps and merit-based raises, a motion was made to adopt Resolution 26-1324. The motion was seconded and passed.
Closing Comments
- The City Clerk provided a closing clarification regarding the copyright discussion, noting the decision not to proceed with registration was based on a determination that the step was unnecessary given the adopted policy, not a lack of funds. The Mayor shared observations from a recent mayors' leadership forum and offered thanks to the Parks and Recreation department. The meeting was adjourned.