City Council

City Manager Review: SW Council Agenda Item No.: 1 CITY OF BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Regular Meeting of May 8, 2025 City Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246 Buellton, California CALL TO ORDER Mayor Silva called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Hudson Hornick, Council Member John Sanchez, Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis, and Mayor David Silva Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, City Attorney Greg Murphy (Via Zoom), Finance Director Shannel Zamora, Planning Director Andrea Keefer, Associate Planner Cara Miralles, and City Clerk Linda Reid REORDERING OF AGENDA None PUBLIC COMMENTS Len Fleckenstein, Buellton, requested that staff clarify the 2025 Groundwater Management Fee Study flyer that was mailed to all residents, so that the proposed upcoming fee increase is made clear. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of April 24, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting 2. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 3. Financial Report for the Third Quarter Ending March 31, 2025 4. Resolution No. 25-15 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adopting the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 List of Projects Funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017” City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 May 8, 2025 5. Acceptance of the New Library/Meeting Rooms (202 Dairyland Renovation) Project 6. Ordinance No. 25-02 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending Title 19 (Zoning) of the Buellton Municipal Code in Order to Implement Programs 1 and 3 of the General Plan Housing Element and to Make Permanent Urgency Ordinance No. 24-03 Regarding Emergency Shelters” (Second Reading) Ordinance No. 25-03 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending the Avenue of Flags Specific Plan for Consistency with the General Plan Housing Element and Title 19 (Zoning) and Regarding Standards for Ground Floor Residential Uses” (Second Reading) MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving Consent Calendar Items 1 through 6 as listed. VOTE: Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0. Council Member Hornick – Yes Council Member Sanchez – Yes Vice Mayor Lewis – Yes Mayor Silva – Yes PRESENTATIONS 7. Proclamation Recognizing Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, 2025 and National Police Week, May 12-18, 2025 Mayor Silva read the proclamation recognizing May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12-18 as National Police Week and presented the proclamation to Lt. Henderson. Lt. Henderson thanked the Council and staff for their support of law enforcement. 8. Proclamation Recognizing National Military Appreciation Month Vice Mayor Lewis read the proclamation recognizing National Military Appreciation Month and presented the proclamation to her father Javier Trujillo who serves on the Board of Combat Control. Mr. Trujillo thanked the Council for their support of all Veterans. Linda Linton, representing Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach, discussed how their agency helps Veterans daily with meals and various services. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 May 8, 2025 PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. Ordinance No. 25-04 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending Title 19 (Zoning) of the Buellton Municipal Code in Regards to Accessory Dwelling Units” (Introduction and First Reading) RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council consider the introduction and first reading of Ordinance Nos. 25-04. STAFF REPORT: Associate Planner Miralles presented the staff report. DOCUMENTS: Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report. SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION: The City Council discussed and determined standards regarding fencing, unit size limits, and height limits for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as follows: • No requirements for fencing • Use Planning Commission recommendations for unit size limits: o 850 sq. ft. for attached ADUs, studio/1 bedroom o 1,000 sq. ft. for attached ADUs, two bedroom and over o 1,200 sq. ft. for detached ADUs • Use Planning Commission recommendations for height limits: o 25 ft. for attached and detached ADUs o 18 ft. for detached ADUs when proposed with additional ADUs on a site Mayor Silva opened the public hearing at 6:51 p.m., there being no public comment, Mayor Silva closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Mayor Silva introducing for first reading Ordinance No. 25-04 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending Title 19 (Zoning) of the Buellton Municipal Code in Regards to Accessory Dwelling Units” by title only and waive further reading, with determining status regarding fencing, unit size, and height limits as referenced above. VOTE: Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0. Council Member Hornick – Yes Council Member Sanchez – Yes Vice Mayor Lewis – Yes Mayor Silva – Yes City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 May 8, 2025 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS Council Member Hornick questioned the status of the Thousand Trees initiative 501(c)(3) and City Attorney Murphy stated there would be a liability waiver for those wanting to plant a tree within the City. Council Member Hornick encouraged residents to join the Green Team by contacting the Planning Department for more information. Council Member Hornick requested and the Council agreed by consensus for staff to look into purchase or lease of a passenger van for use by the Recreation Department and other staff members. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None COMMITTEE REPORTS Council Member Hornick announced that he attended a Green Team meeting and provided an oral report for the record. Mayor Silva announced that he attended the California Community Choice Association conference in Irvine and provided information and handouts regarding the event. BUSINESS ITEMS 10. Deep Dive: Discussion of Visitors Bureau Activities RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive a presentation from the Visitors Bureau and discuss as appropriate. STAFF REPORT: City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report. SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION: Kathy Vreeland, Executive Director of the Buellton Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau provided the City Council with the current status of the Visitors Bureau and its activities and answered questions from the City Council. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 May 8, 2025 11. Discussion Regarding Pet Waste/Disposal RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council discuss pet waste disposal in the City and direct staff as appropriate. STAFF REPORT: Public Works Director Hess presented the staff report. SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION: The City Council discussed installing additional dog waste stations along Highway 246, La Lata Drive, and the area west of PAWS Park near the drainage culvert. DIRECTION: The City Council agreed by consensus to direct staff to identify locations for additional pet waste disposal units/trash cans throughout the City and agendize this item for further discussion and possible action. 12. Receive the Final Draft of the 2025 Water and Sewer Rate Study and Approval of the Proposition 218 Notice of Public Hearing for Water and Wastewater Rates RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive the Final Draft of the Water Rate Study and the Sewer Rate Study, approve the Prop 218 Notice of Proposed Water and Wastewater Rates, authorize mailing to property owners, and set the Public Hearing for July 10, 2025. STAFF REPORT: Public Works Director Hess presented the staff report. DOCUMENTS: Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report. SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION: Chris Fisher, representing Willdan, provided a presentation regarding the 2025 water and wastewater rate study and answered questions from the City Council regarding the study. MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Council Member Hornick authorizing the final draft of the Water and Sewer Rate Study, approving the Prop 218 Notice of Proposed Water and Wastewater Rates for mailing to property owners, and setting a Public Hearing for July 10, 2025. VOTE: Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0. Council Member Hornick – Yes Council Member Sanchez – Yes Vice Mayor Lewis – Yes Mayor Silva – Yes City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 May 8, 2025 13. Consideration of a New Contract with Metro Ventures Ltd. for Irma L. Tucker to Provide Professional Planning Services RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a new contract for Contract Planning Services with Metro Ventures Ltd. beginning May 12, 2025 and ending on May 12, 2027, for a total contract amount not to exceed $62,400 of funds not reimbursed by developers, with a rate of $100 per hour. STAFF REPORT: Planning Director Keefer presented the staff report. DOCUMENTS: Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report. SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION: The City Council questioned the liability section of the contract regarding professional and non-professional services. MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Council Member Hornick, authorizing the City Manager to enter into a new contract for Contract Planning Services with Metro Ventures Ltd. beginning May 12, 2025 and ending on May 12, 2027, for a total contract amount not to exceed $62,400 of funds not reimbursed by developers, with a rate of $100 per hour. VOTE: Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0. Council Member Hornick - Yes Council Member Sanchez - Yes Vice Mayor Lewis– Yes Mayor Silva – Yes 14. Fiscal Year 2025-26 & 2026-27 Requests for Funding from Outside Agencies RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council consider funding requests from outside agencies. STAFF REPORT: Finance Director Zamora presented the staff report. SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION: The City Council discussed how the funding will be awarded, with a possible maximum distribution at $121,676.81. Erica Jane Flores, CEO, Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People, discussed her funding request. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 May 8, 2025 Hannah Ryckman, Grants Coordinator, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, discussed her funding request. Judy Taggart, Executive Director, Santa Ynez Valley Fruit and Vegetable Rescue, discussed her funding request. Sue Eisaguirre, Executive Director, NatureTrack, discussed her funding request. Greg Erickson, President, Buellton Community Garden, discussed his funding request. Casey McKeen, Principal, Buellton Union Schools (Jonata Middle School), discussed his funding request. Shannon Hazard, SY Pirate PTO-SYVHS Safe and Sober Grad Nite, discussed her funding request. Shana Schank, DVM, Executive Director Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/Dog Adoption and Welfare Group, discussed her funding request. Holly Sierra, President, Friends of the Buellton Library, discussed her funding request. Rusty Lindsey, President, Jonata Oak Valley PTSA, discussed his funding request. Eva Powers, SYV Botanic Garden Foundation, discussed her funding request. Lauren Lastra, President, Santa Ynez Valley Pride, discussed her funding request. The City Council discussed funding for each of the outside agencies and provided their individual funding allocations for each agency. The average allocations for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and 2026-27 total $105,420 as follows: • Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People = $10,460 • Foodbank of Santa Barbara County = $9,100 • Santa Ynez Valley Fruit & Vegetable Rescue = $7,718 • NatureTrack = $4,625 • Buellton Community Garden = $10,915 • Buellton Union Schools (Jonata MS) = $11,450 • SY Pirate PTO-SYHS Safe+Sober Grad Nite = $2,865 • SYV Humane Society/ Dog Adoption and Welfare Group = $12,500 • Friends of the Buellton Library = $9,509 • Jonata Oak Valley PTSA = $10,028 • SYV Botanic Garden Foundation = $12,250 • Santa Ynez Valley Pride = $4,000 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 May 8, 2025 DOCUMENTS: Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report. MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Mayor Silva allowing each agency to receive the funding allocation they requested. VOTE: Motion died with a tie roll call vote of 2-2. Council Member Hornick - No Council Member Sanchez - No Vice Mayor Lewis– Yes Mayor Silva – Yes MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Mayor Silva allowing each agency to receive the funding allocation they requested, with NatureTrack receiving $6,000, for a total of $124,676. VOTE: Motion died with a tie roll call vote of 2-2. Council Member Hornick - No Council Member Sanchez - No Vice Mayor Lewis– Yes Mayor Silva – Yes MOTION: Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Vice Mayor Lewis with funding allocation totaling $105,419, as listed above. VOTE: Motion passed with a roll call vote of 3-1, with Council Member Sanchez voting no. Council Member Hornick - Yes Council Member Sanchez - No Vice Mayor Lewis– Yes Mayor Silva – Yes CITY MANAGER’S REPORT City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 9 May 8, 2025 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 10:17 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________ David Silva Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ Linda Reid City Clerk