City Council
Regular MeetingBuellton, CA · November 10, 2022
Minutes
City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 1
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of November 10, 2022
City Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246
Buellton, California
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sierra called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Elysia Lewis, John Sanchez, Vice Mayor Dave
King and Mayor Holly Sierra
Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, Finance Director Shannel Zamora (Via
Zoom), City Clerk Linda Reid, City Attorney Greg Murphy, Public
Works Director Rose Hess, Planning Director Andrea Keefer, and
Lt. Mark Valencia
REORDERING OF AGENDA
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Lori Youngman, Buellton, requested the Council listen to the public’s comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of October 27, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
2. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year
2022/2023
3. Financial Report for the First Quarter Ending September 30, 2022
(Staff Contact: Finance Director Shannel Zamora)
4. Acceptance of and Issuance of a Notice of Completion for the ENGIE Energy Savings
and Solar Project
(Staff Contact: Public Works Director Rose Hess)
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 November 10, 2022
5. Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to Architectural Contract with Marchi &
Associates
(Staff Contact: Public Works Director Rose Hess)
6. Consideration of Proposal to Prepare Environmental Document for the 6th Cycle
Housing Element Update and Contract Amendment for Civic Solutions
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor King, seconded by Council Member Lewis, approving Consent
Calendar Items 1 through 6 as listed.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Sanchez - Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Vice Mayor King – Yes
Mayor Sierra - Yes
PRESENTATIONS
7. Presentation of Boys and Girls Club Gold Cards
Michael Baker, representing the United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County
explained the meaning behind Gold Cards and the Mayor announced this year’s Gold Card
recipients.
8. Presentation of Helen Putnam Award by Dave Mullinax – League of California Cities
Dave Mullinax with the League of California Cities presented the Council and staff with
the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in the Arts for the hard work and dedication of
the Buellton Arts & Culture Committee. Mayor Sierra recognized members of the Arts &
Culture Committee and local artists. Stacey Kiss and Annie Yakutis thanked the Council
and staff for supporting the Arts & Culture Committee.
Mayor Sierra called a recess in the meeting so everyone could enjoy cake in celebration of
the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence at 6:15 p.m. The Council reconvened at 6:35 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Resolution No. 22-32 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton,
California, Requesting Either Approval or Denial of a One-Year Time Extension (22-
TE-04) Request for Final Development Plan (16-FDP-06) and Tentative Tract Map
(TTM 31061) for the Buellton Hub Project Located at the Southern Terminus of
Industrial Way on Assessor’s Parcel Number 099-690-048”
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 November 10, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider approval of Resolution No. 22-32.
STAFF REPORT:
Planning Director Keefer presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Mayor Sierra opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m.
Joseph Manser, President of the Rancho de Maria Homeowner’s Association (HOA)
submitted an email supporting open communication between the proposed project and the
HOA.
Howard Zelefsky, representing HB Architects discussed the applicant’s request for a one-
year time extension on the proposed project.
The following Buellton residents discussed their opposition regarding the requested time
extension:
• Mark Cavanaugh
• Lori Oakley
• John Dorwin
• Hudson Hornick
There being no further public comment, Mayor Sierra closed the Public Hearing at 6:51
p.m.
The City Council discussed the following issues:
• The importance of approving the time extension given the Pandemic, inflation,
construction costs, and other factors
• Additional time extensions related to the proposed project could be requested
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Sierra, seconded by Council Member Lewis denying Resolution No. 22-
32 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Requesting
Either Approval or Denial of a One-Year Time Extension (22-TE-04) Request for Final
Development Plan (16-FDP-06) and Tentative Tract Map (TTM 31061) for the Buellton
Hub Project Located at the Southern Terminus of Industrial Way on Assessor’s Parcel
Number 099-690-048”
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 November 10, 2022
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 3-1, with Vice Mayor King voting no.
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor King – No
Mayor Sierra – Yes
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Sanchez and Mayor Sierra thanked staff and the vendors for hosting Fall
Fest on the Avenue of Flags.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Sierra announced that she attended the Santa Barbara County Association of
Governments North County Sub-Regional Committee meeting and provided an oral report
for the record.
BUSINESS ITEMS
10. Consideration of Affordable Housing Agreement with Palm Communities for the
Polo Village Project
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider authorizing the City Manager to execute the Draft
Affordable Housing Agreement for the Polo Village Project, within the next year.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council questioned whether the affordable housing application fee can be lowered
or income based.
Laura Romano, Buellton, questioned whether the affordable housing agreement at Polo
Village would help to meet Buellton’s affordable housing requirement.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 November 10, 2022
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Lewis, authorizing
the City Manager to execute the Draft Affordable Housing Agreement for the Polo Village
Project, within the next year.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez - Yes
Vice Mayor King – Yes
Mayor Sierra – Yes
11. Direction to Staff Regarding Special Events - Enchanted Garden Holiday Lights
Festival and Cowboy Christmas
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider a change to the adopted policy pertaining to size and
frequency of events in River View Park.
STAFF REPORT:
Planning Director Keefer presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Correspondence was received and added to the record concerning holding conflicting
events at the same time from the following individuals:
• Len Fleckenstein, Buellton
• Kyle Abello, Solvang
• Eva Powers, Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden Board Member
• Puck Erickson Lohnas, Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden Board Member
• Tashina Sanders, Buellton
Bob and Evie Sweeney, Solvang, discussed the Cowboy Christmas event and how the event
will coordinate with the Botanic Garden’s Enchanted Garden Holiday Lights Festival.
Andres Nunez, En Fuego Events, discussed how he plans to manage the Enchanted Garden
Holiday Lights Festival and how the two events can coexist.
Derek Glas, Buellton, discussed the Botanic Garden’s Enchanted Garden Holiday Lights
Festival and how it will operate.
The City Council discussed the following issues:
• Using large passenger golf carts to transport individuals to and from the events
• Involving local non-profits to sell food and drinks at the events
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 November 10, 2022
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
DIRECTION:
The Council agreed by consensus to authorize a change to the adopted policy pertaining to
size and frequency of events in River View Park and requested that staff return after the
holidays to discuss how the events are conducted and whether a policy change is warranted.
12. Discussion and Direction on Options for Reducing the City’s CalPERS Pension
Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider paying off the current UAL by June 15, 2023 and placing
$1.6 million into a Pension Reserve Fund and invest it in a 6-month treasury with the intent
to pay-off the UAL at maturity plus any interest earned.
STAFF REPORT:
Finance Director Zamora presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Dan Matusiewicz, Senior Public Finance Consultant for GovInvest discussed the CalPERS
Pension Unfunded Accrued Liability.
The City Council discussed how a recession could affect the City’s pension liability.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Vice Mayor King, approving staff’s
recommendation of paying off the current UAL by June 15, 2023 and placing $1.6 million
into a Pension Reserve Fund and invest it in a 6-month treasury with the intent to pay-off
the UAL at maturity plus any interest earned.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez - Yes
Vice Mayor King – Yes
Mayor Sierra – Yes
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 November 10, 2022
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Sierra adjourned the regular meeting at 8:33 p.m. The next regular meeting of the
City Council will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
_________________________________
Holly Sierra
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Linda Reid
City Clerk
Agenda
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting of November 10, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246
Buellton, California
Council meetings will be conducted in person and the public is welcome to attend.
Consistent with Assembly Bill 361, written comments will not be read aloud but can be sent to the City
Council via email at council@cityofbuellton.com (please reference agenda item number/subject matter,
and include your name and address). The public can observe Council meetings via City TV Live Stream
at: http://www.cityofbuellton.com/government/cityTV.php
Pursuant to AB 361, cities are allowed to hold City Council meetings via teleconferencing and members
of the public can observe and address the meeting electronically by clicking here.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Holly Sierra
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Council Members Elysia Lewis, John Sanchez, Vice Mayor Dave King, and Mayor Holly
Sierra
REORDERING OF AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Speaker Slip to be completed and turned in to the City Clerk prior to commencement of meeting. Any person may
address the Council on any subject pertaining to City business, including all items on the agenda not listed as a Public
Hearing, including the Consent Agenda and Closed Session. Limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. By law, no
action may be taken at this meeting on matters raised during Public Comments not included on this agenda. Public
Speakers using a translator are allotted a total of six (6) minutes to speak, unless simultaneous translation equipment is
used.
CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
The following items are considered routine and non-controversial and are scheduled for consideration as a group. Any
Council Member, the City Attorney, or the City Manager may request that an item be withdrawn from the Consent
Agenda to allow for full discussion. Members of the Public may speak on Consent Agenda items during the Public
Comment period.
1. Minutes of October 27, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
City Council Meeting Agenda Page 2 November 10, 2022
2. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year
2022/2023
3. Financial Report for the First Quarter Ending September 30, 2022
(Staff Contact: Finance Director Shannel Zamora)
4. Acceptance of and Issuance of a Notice of Completion for the ENGIE Energy
Savings and Solar Project
(Staff Contact: Public Works Director Rose Hess)
5. Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to Architectural Contract with Marchi &
Associates
(Staff Contact: Public Works Director Rose Hess)
6. Consideration of Proposal to Prepare Environmental Document for the 6th Cycle
Housing Element Update and Contract Amendment for Civic Solutions
(Staff Contact: Planning Director Andrea Keefer)
PRESENTATIONS
7. Presentation of Boys and Girls Club Gold Cards
8. Presentation of Helen Putnam Award by Dave Mullinax – League of California
Cities
PUBLIC HEARINGS (POSSIBLE ACTION)
9. Resolution No. 22-32 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton,
California, Requesting Either Approval or Denial of a One-Year Time Extension
(22-TE-04) Request for Final Development Plan (16-FDP-06) and Tentative Tract
Map (TTM 31061) for the Buellton Hub Project Located at the Southern Terminus
of Industrial Way on Assessor’s Parcel Number 099-690-048”
(Staff Contact: Planning Director Andrea Keefer)
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Written communications are included in the agenda packets. Any Council Member, the City Manager or
City Attorney may request that a written communication be read into the record.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
This Agenda listing is the opportunity for Council Members to give verbal Committee Reports on any
meetings recently held for which the Council Members are the City representatives thereto.
City Council Meeting Agenda Page 3 November 10, 2022
BUSINESS ITEMS (POSSIBLE ACTION)
10. Consideration of Affordable Housing Agreement with Palm Communities for the
Polo Village Project
(Staff Contact: City Manager Scott Wolfe)
11. Direction to Staff Regarding Special Events - Enchanted Garden Holiday Lights
Festival and Cowboy Christmas
(Staff Contact: Planning Director Andrea Keefer)
12. Discussion and Direction on Options for Reducing the City’s CalPERS Pension
Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL)
(Staff Contact: Finance Director Shannel Zamora)
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, December 8,
2022 at 6:00 p.m.
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