City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 1
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of March 28, 2024
City Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246
Buellton, California
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor King called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Hudson Hornick, Elysia Lewis and John Sanchez, Vice Mayor David Silva, and Mayor Dave King
Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, City Attorney Greg Murphy, Public Works Director Rose Hess, Finance Director Shannel Zamora, Planning Director Andrea Keefer, and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Sandy Lincoln, Buellton, thanked the Council for installing the swing sets at Village Park.
A.J. Tarman, Buellton, discussed the importance of public safety in Buellton and requested that law enforcement increase the number of citations being issued. Mr. Tarman also stated the City does not need to change the Urban Growth Boundary.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of March 14, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting
2. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2023/2024
3. Receive and File the 2023 Annual Report on the Status of the General Plan
4. Monthly Treasurer’s Report – February 29, 2024
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 March 28, 2024
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Silva, approving Consent Calendar Items 1-4 as listed.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Silva – Yes
Mayor King – Yes
PRESENTATIONS
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. Urgency Ordinance No. 24-02 – “An Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending Chapter 19.02.210 of the Buellton Municipal Code, Pertaining to Permit Requirements and Appropriate Zones for Emergency Shelters (24-ZOA-01)”
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 24-02.
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 discussed the Emergency Shelters Urgency Ordinance.
Mayor King opened the public hearing at 6:20 p.m. There being no public comment, Mayor King closed the Public Hearing at 6:21 p.m.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Lewis approving Urgency Ordinance No. 24-02 – “An Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending Chapter 19.02.210 of the Buellton Municipal Code, Pertaining to Permit Requirements and Appropriate Zones for Emergency Shelters (24- ZOA-01)” by title only and waive further reading.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 March 28, 2024
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis - Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Silva – Yes
Mayor King – Yes
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Hornick suggested the motor officer change his radar position in order to increase the number of citations being issued and help slow traffic. Council Member Hornick also requested that the Buellton Library consider switching some of the days they are open to better serve the community.
Vice Mayor Silva announced that Buellton Union School District has added electric buses to their fleet.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Sanchez announced that he attended the Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA) meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Council Member Sanchez announced that he attended the Buellton Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau board meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Council Member Hornick announced that he attended a Green Team meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Mayor King announced that he attended board meetings for Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and provided oral reports regarding the meetings.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 March 28, 2024
BUSINESS ITEMS
6. Ordinance No. 24-01 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adding Buellton Municipal Code Section 19.10.140 Providing for Certification for Review of Certain Discretionary Land Use Planning Proposals for Immediate City Council Consideration” (Second Reading)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Ordinance No. 24-01.
STAFF REPORT:
Planning Director Keefer presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Vice Mayor Silva approving Ordinance No. 24-01 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adding Buellton Municipal Code Section 19.10.140 Providing for Certification for Review of Certain Discretionary Land Use Planning Proposals for Immediate City Council Consideration” by title only and waive further reading.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis - Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Silva – Yes
Mayor King – Yes
7. Discussion of Meals on Wheels Funding Issues
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider additional funding for Meals on Wheels.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Cristina Carreno, Buellton, spoke in support of Meals on Wheels and asked the Council to provide additional funding for the program.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 March 28, 2024
Pam Gnekow, Chief Executive Officer of Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach discussed the need for additional funding for Meals on Wheels.
Council Members Hornick and Sanchez, Vice Mayor Silva, and Mayor King disclosed they separately spoke to Pam Gnekow about the Meals on Wheels program prior to the Council meeting discussion.
The City Council discussed the Meals on Wheels program, the program’s current funding deficit, limitations on funding options, how to maintain a sustainable meals program going forward, and a future City Council Closed Session discussion involving the possibility of the City purchasing the Senior Center Thrift Store building in order to help fund the Meals on Wheels program.
DIRECTION:
The City Council agreed by consensus to have staff work with Pam Gnekow to determine the additional funding needed for the Meals on Wheels program and agendize further discussion and funding consideration by the City Council.
8. Discussion of South Avenue of Flags Crosswalk Warrant RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council discuss the South Avenue of Flags crosswalk warrant and provide direction to staff.
STAFF REPORT:
Public Works Director Hess presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
John Dorwin, Buellton, submitted comments for the record regarding this item. Mr. Dorwin also spoke about the crosswalk warrant and his disagreement with the study’s findings.
The City Council discussed the crosswalk warrant and mitigating risks going forward, such as lowering the speed limit, narrowing the roadway, and adding radar tracking.
DIRECTION:
The City Council agreed by consensus to request that Tetra Tech review the current crosswalk warrant and determine if there are other options that could be implemented to make the South Avenue of Flags safer for pedestrians.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 March 28, 2024
9. Discussion on Policy for Flying of Flags at City Facilities RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council discuss a policy for flying flags at City facilities and provide direction to staff.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Kathy Vreeland, Executive Director of the Buellton Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau provided communication regarding this item, which was added to the record.
The City Council discussed how to move forward with a policy for flying flags and banners at City facilities.
DIRECTION:
The City Council agreed by consensus to have staff bring back a policy for discussion and adoption, similar to the City of Boston’s flag policy and include various options that are unique to Buellton.
10. Determination of Employee Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Fiscal Year 2024- 25 RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider an employee COLA for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and provide direction to staff accordingly.
STAFF REPORT:
Finance Director Zamora presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed employee COLA options for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Silva, seconded by Council Member Lewis approving a 5% COLA for all regular full-time employees for Fiscal Year 2024-25, effective July 1, 2024.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 March 28, 2024
VOTE:
Motion failed by a roll call vote of 2-3, with Council Members Hornick, Sanchez, and Mayor King voting no.
Council Member Hornick – No
Council Member Lewis - Yes
Council Member Sanchez – No
Vice Mayor Silva – Yes
Mayor King – No
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor King, seconded by Council Member Hornick approving a 3.94% COLA for all regular full-time employees for Fiscal Year 2024-25, effective July 1, 2024.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-1, with Vice Mayor Silva voting no.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis - Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Silva – No
Mayor King – Yes
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor King adjourned the regular meeting at 9:20 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. __________________________
Dave King
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Linda Reid
City Clerk