Meeting Summary
Present: Avante, 3-Smith, Brown · Absent: 2-Orona
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
Golden Garden Certificates
- Staff presented the annual program recognizing property owners for curb appeal, fire safety, and drought tolerance.
- Three awards were given for the most beautiful garden, most drought-tolerant garden, and exceptional defensible space.
- The program is scheduled to be conducted twice annually.
Utility Rate Study Update
- Staff announced the selection of LT Municipal Consultants to conduct the next water and wastewater rate study.
- A Utility Rate Review Committee was formed with a call for public nominations.
State of the City and Joint Meeting
- The City Manager announced the upcoming "State of the City" event scheduled for August 27.
- A joint council meeting with the City of Buellton is being planned to address mutual concerns.
Council Member Reports
- Members provided updates on recent activities including a memorial service, police department tours, and community events.
- One member requested future Capital Improvement Plan reports include data on completed projects and associated costs.
Fee Schedule Resolution (26-1325)
- The resolution updates the Master Fee Schedule by adding fines for infractions and misdemeanors.
- It increases the per-page copy fee to 25 cents and incorporates a $50 vendor fee into planning fees.
- Staff clarified that copy fees apply to physical records and vendor fees target those without business licenses.
- The council approved the resolution following the public hearing.
Vehicle Purchase Resolution (26-1329)
- The council authorized the purchase of two gasoline vehicles for the SYVT fleet under a temporary CARB exemption.
- Staff explained the need for immediate replacements due to accidents, warranty issues, and high mileage on existing units.
- Funding up to $350,000 from State Transit Assistance funds was approved to cover purchase and outfitting costs.
- The resolution to waive formal bidding and authorize the purchase passed.
Capital Improvement Plan Resolution (26-1328)
- The council approved the 10-year CIP for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2036-37, aligning with the 2045 General Plan.
- Discussion focused on the Fjord Drive extension timeline, which depends on county coordination and future impact fees.
- Staff noted that costs for the latter five years are listed as lump sums due to financial uncertainty.
- The resolution to adopt the plan passed.
Closed Session
- The session included conferences with real property negotiators regarding two specific properties.
- Labor negotiators were consulted concerning unrepresented employees and the Teamsters Union Local 986.
- The City Attorney reported that no reportable actions were taken on any closed session items.
Full summary
Closed Session
- The meeting began with a closed session to discuss confidential matters. Agenda items included conferences with real property negotiators regarding two properties (320 Alsall Mesa Road and 478 Fourth Place) and conferences with labor negotiators concerning unrepresented employees and the Teamsters Union Local 986. Following the recess, the City Attorney reported that no reportable actions were taken on any of the closed session items.
Presentation: Golden Garden Certificates
- Staff presented the "Golden Garden Certificates" program, designed to recognize property owners for curb appeal, fire safety, and drought tolerance. Three awards were presented:
- Most Beautiful Garden: Awarded to Jefferson Woodsey and Bruce Cleveland (1735 Vygard Drive) for outstanding landscape design and care.
- Most Drought-Tolerant Garden: Awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Clullen (1571 Mountain View Drive) for water-wise landscaping and environmental stewardship.
- Exceptional Example of Defensible Space: Awarded to John Paul Demure (1732 Vygard Drive) for wildfire preparedness and maintenance of defensible space.
- The program is scheduled to be conducted twice annually.
Public Communications
- During public comment, a staff member provided an update on the selection of LT Municipal Consultants to conduct the next water and wastewater rate study. The formation of a Utility Rate Review Committee was announced, with a call for public nominations. No other public comments were received.
City Manager's Report
- The City Manager announced the upcoming "State of the City" event scheduled for August 27 and noted the start of the new fiscal year. Additionally, a joint council meeting with the City of Buellton is being planned to address items of mutual concern.
Council Member Reports
- Council members provided updates on their recent activities, including attendance at a memorial service for Susan Williams, tours of the Lompoc Police Department, and participation in community events such as the 4th of July parade and the Viking Row. One council member requested future reports on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) include data on completed projects and associated costs.
Consent Agenda (Item 6)
- The consent agenda, covering routine administrative matters, was discussed. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda with modifications to remove items 8B and 8D from the list. The motion was seconded. The modified consent agenda passed.
Public Hearing: Resolution 26-1325 (Item 7A)
- A public hearing was held to consider the adoption of Resolution 26-1325, which updates user and regulatory fees. The resolution proposes adding fines for infractions and misdemeanors to the Master Fee Schedule, increasing the per-page copy fee from 10 cents to 25 cents, and incorporating a $50 vendor fee into planning fees.
- Discussion: Staff explained that infraction fines range from $100 to $500 depending on the number of violations within a rolling 12-month period, while misdemeanor fines range from $130 to $2,500. Council members inquired about the application of copy fees to public records requests, the rolling nature of the violation timeline, and the enforcement of health permits for vendors. Staff clarified that the copy fee applies to physical copies under the California Public Records Act and that the vendor fee applies to those without a business license.
- Action: Following the public hearing, a motion was made to approve Resolution 26-1325. The motion was seconded. The resolution passed.
Vehicle Purchase: Resolution 26-1329 (Item 8A)
- The council considered Resolution 26-1329 to waive formal bidding and authorize the purchase of two vehicles for the San Ynez Valley Transit (SYVT) fleet.
- Discussion: Staff reported that two existing vehicles are out of service due to an accident and warranty issues, and two others have exceeded 250,000 miles. The proposal seeks to purchase two gasoline-fueled vehicles under a temporary California Air Resources Board (CARB) exemption, as electric vehicle lead times are currently 12–18 months. The requested funding is up to $350,000 from State Transit Assistance funds. Council members questioned the warranty status of the vehicles (which are 2023 models with low mileage), the discrepancy between the base vehicle price and the total requested amount, and the status of repairs for the damaged vehicle. Staff clarified that the warranty begins upon city possession, the higher budget amount accounts for outfitting costs (branding, signage, etc.), and the damaged vehicle is awaiting a repair assessment.
- Action: A motion was made to approve Resolution 26-1329. The motion was seconded. The resolution passed.
Capital Improvement Plan: Resolution 26-1328 (Item 8C)
- The council discussed and voted on the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2036-37.
- Discussion: Staff presented the CIP, noting it aligns with the 2045 General Plan. Council members inquired about the breakdown of costs for projects in the latter five years of the plan, which are listed as lump sums due to financial uncertainty. Specific discussion focused on the Fjord Drive extension, with a council member requesting it be prioritized sooner than the seven-year timeline suggested. Staff and the City Manager explained that the project requires coordination with the county and depends on future development impact fees, making the current timeline realistic.
- Action: A motion was made to approve the 10-year CIP. The motion was seconded. The resolution passed.
Adjournment
- Following the conclusion of the agenda, the City Attorney requested clarification on resolution numbering to avoid duplication. The council granted staff the authority to adjust resolution numbers as necessary. The meeting was adjourned.