City Council
Regular MeetingBuellton, CA · October 23, 2025
Minutes
City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 1
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of October 23, 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 John Sanchez, Council Member Hudson Hornick,
Council Member Carla Mead, Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis, and Mayor
David Silva
Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, City Attorney Greg Murphy, Planning
Director Andrea Keefer, Finance Director Shannel Zamora (Via
Zoom), Public Works Director Rose Hess (Via Zoom), Deputy City
Clerk Katherine Dary, and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
City Manager Wolfe announced that Public Hearing Item No. 8 will be continued to the
regular City Council meeting of November 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nancy Dorwin, Buellton, provided a handout for the record and announced that during the
installation of fiber cables in Rancho de Maria, Frontier Communications removed the
sidewalk markers, and requested they be replaced.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 October 23, 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR
John Dorwin, Buellton, discussed the Stormwater Management Program and its relation to
the flooding issue in Rancho de Maria. City Attorney Murphy stated the Stormwater
Management report can be accepted and filed by the City Council.
1. Minutes of September 25, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting
2. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year
2025/2026
3. Monthly Treasurer’s Report – September 30, 2025
4. Authorization of Expenditure of Funds for 1000 Tree Initiative Oak Valley
Elementary School Project
5. Approval of Amended Contract with Solid Waste Solutions, Inc., for Solid Waste
Compliance
6. Acceptance and Filing of Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Annual
Report FY 2024-2025
7. Resolution No. 25-28 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton,
California, Regarding Parking Restrictions at the Driveway of PGE Service Station
Located at 55 Easy Street”
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Council Member Mead, approving Consent
Calendar Items 1 through 7 as listed.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Mead – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Lewis – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
PRESENTATIONS
None
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 October 23, 2025
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Ordinance No. 25-06 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton,
California, Amending Chapter 3.28.060 of the Buellton Municipal Code Pertaining to
Registration Requirements of Hotel Operators Subject to Transient Occupancy Tax,
and Adding Chapter 19.06.290 of the Buellton Municipal Code Pertaining to the
Operation of Hotels for Short Term Rental Use Only (25-ZOA-01)” (Introduction and
First Reading)
Chris Guillen, Attorney with Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, and Schreck, submitted a letter for
the record regarding this item, dated October 22, 2025, which was provided to the City
Council and made part of the record.
Council Member Hornick explained his recusal from Item No. 8.
City Attorney Murphy explained that continuing the Public Hearing of Ordinance No. 25-
06, which will be continued to the regular City Council meeting of November 13, 2025, at
6:00 p.m., will allow the California Department of Housing and Community Development
to weigh in on the terms of the proposed ordinance.
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Mayor Silva, continuing the Public Hearing of
Ordinance No. 25-06 to the regular City Council meeting of November 13, 2025.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0-1.
Council Member Hornick – Abstain
Council Member Mead – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Lewis – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Hornick thanked those involved with the 1000 Trees Initiative and the
planting of new trees at Oak Valley Elementary School.
Council Member Hornick thanked staff for performing the City’s annual road maintenance
and striping project.
Vice Mayor Lewis thanked local law enforcement officers for patrolling Highway 246
through Buellton.
Mayor Silva announced he attended the Hundred Hills School Ad Hoc Committee meeting
and discussed the school’s progress towards opening.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 October 23, 2025
Mayor Silva announced that residents will begin moving into the Village Senior Housing
Project on November 1, 2025.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Sanchez announced that he attended the Central Coast Water Authority
(CCWA) Board meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Council Member Sanchez announced that he attended the Buellton Chamber of Commerce
and Visitors Bureaus Board meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Council Member Hornick announced he attended the Elected Leaders Forum to Address
Homelessness and provided an oral report for the record.
Vice Mayor Lewis announced that she and City Manager Wolfe attended the Joint Use
Committee meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Mayor Silva announced that he traveled to New Mexico to tour the SunZia Wind &
Transmission project with members from Central Coast Community Energy (3CE).
Mayor Silva announced that he, Council Member Mead, Council Member Sanchez, and
some City staff members attended the League of California Cities (LOCC) Annual
Conference in Long Beach.
BUSINESS ITEMS
9. Consideration of Arts and Culture Project Applications:
• Buellton Strings Project -
• Buellton Mosaics Project
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider funding for the Arts & Culture projects listed above.
STAFF REPORT:
Recreation Coordinator Firey presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
A. Buellton Strings Project
Mary Beth Woodruff and Kyle Abello addressed the Council regarding their funding
request for the Strings Project and provided a song performance featuring a student from
the program.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 October 23, 2025
The City Council discussed the project’s application process as to which children are
chosen to participate in the Strings project and if additional children could participate in
the project if more funding was provided.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Council Member Hornick approving funding
for $20,000 for the Buellton Strings Project.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Mead – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Lewis – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
B. Buellton Mosaics Project
Veronica Medina and Staci Curry addressed the Council regarding their funding request
for the Mosaics Project.
The City Council discussed the mosaics project and its contribution to Buellton’s aesthetics
and possibly raising the project funding amount via an additional agendized discussion at
a future Council meeting.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Vice Mayor Lewis approving $30,940 for the
Buellton Mosaics Project and requesting that staff agendize a future business item to
discuss additional funding for the project.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Mead – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Lewis – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 October 23, 2025
10. Consideration of a Pledge of Financial Support for the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics
Complex
Vice Mayor Lewis recused herself regarding Item 10, due to her affiliation with the Santa
Ynez Valley Aquatics Complex and her employment with Santa Ynez Valley Union High
School District and left the dais.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider making such a pledge of $450,000.00 for the Santa Ynez
Valley Aquatics Complex, with conditions that the City Council may find appropriate.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The following individuals spoke in support of the City Council’s funding of the Aquatics
Complex:
• Judith Dale, Buellton
• Lisa Pelner, Los Olivos
• Randy Murphy, Solvang
• Wendy Berry, Buellton
• Kyle Abello, Santa Ynez
The City Council discussed the following issues:
• The Aquatics Complex funding would be listed as a Capital Improvement Project
line item in the City’s budget.
• Funding $450,000 for the Aquatics Complex and up to $500,000 if the City of
Solvang provides matching funds.
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Council Member Hornick, approving a pledge of
$450,000 for the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics Complex, once ground is broken on the
project, with an increased pledge of $50,000, if the City of Solvang agrees to pledge the
same amount. Additional conditions include Buellton Parks and Recreation Department
being involved with programming at the Aquatics Complex, ensuring City of Solvang’s
conditions are met, and exploring additional funding opportunities.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Mead – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
Vice Mayor Lewis returned to the dais following the conclusion of Item 10.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 October 23, 2025
11. Resolution No. 25-29 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton,
California, Approving the Fifth Amendment to the City Manager Employment
Agreement and Updating the Salary Schedule”
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Resolution No. 25-29.
STAFF REPORT:
City Attorney Murphy presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council thanked City Manager Wolfe for his continued leadership of the City.
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Mayor Silva, adopting Resolution No. 25-29 -
“A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Approving the Fifth
Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement and Updating the Salary
Schedule”
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Mead – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Lewis – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
12. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Potential Initiation of Litigation
The City Council met in closed session to discuss Item 12. No reportable action was taken.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 October 23, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 8:28 p.m. The next regular meeting of the
City Council will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Linda Reid
City Clerk
Agenda
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting of October 23, 2025 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.
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
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David Silva
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Council Members Hudson Hornick, Carla Mead, and John Sanchez, Vice Mayor Elysia
Lewis and Mayor David Silva
REORDERING OF AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Speaker Slip to be completed and turned into 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 September 25, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting
2. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year
2025/2026
City Council Meeting Agenda Page 2 October 23, 2025
3. Monthly Treasurer’s Report – September 30, 2025
(Staff Contact: Finance Director Shannel Zamora)
4. Authorization of Expenditure of Funds for 1000 Tree Initiative Oak Valley
Elementary School Project
(Staff Contact: City Manager Scott Wolfe)
5. Approval of Amended Contract with Solid Waste Solutions, Inc., for Solid Waste
Compliance
(Staff Contact: Public Works Director Rose Hess)
6. Acceptance and Filing of Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Annual
Report FY 2024-2025
(Staff Contact: Public Works Director Rose Hess)
7. Resolution No. 25-28 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton,
California, Regarding Parking Restrictions at the Driveway of PGE Service Station
Located at 55 Easy Street”
(Staff Contact: Public Works Director Rose Hess)
PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC HEARINGS (POSSIBLE ACTION)
8. Ordinance No. 25-06 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton,
California, Amending Chapter 3.28.060 of the Buellton Municipal Code Pertaining
to Registration Requirements of Hotel Operators Subject to Transient Occupancy
Tax, and Adding Chapter 19.06.290 of the Buellton Municipal Code Pertaining to
the Operation of Hotels for Short Term Rental Use Only (25-ZOA-01)”
(Introduction and First Reading)
(Staff Contact: City Manager Scott Wolfe)
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
This Agenda listing allows Council Members to provide comments regarding recent events, contributions
made or received, and future requests from City Council Members to staff.
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 October 23, 2025
BUSINESS ITEMS (POSSIBLE ACTION)
9. Consideration of Arts and Culture Project Applications:
• Buellton Strings Project
• Buellton Mosaics Project
(Staff Contact: Recreation Coordinator Allison Firey)
10. Consideration of a Pledge of Financial Support for the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics
Complex
(Staff Contact: City Manager Scott Wolfe)
11. Resolution No. 25-29 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton,
California, Approving the Fifth Amendment to the City Manager Employment
Agreement and Updating the Salary Schedule”
(Staff Contact: City Attorney Greg Murphy)
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS (POSSIBLE ACTION)
12. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Potential Initiation of Litigation
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at
6:00 p.m.
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