City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 1
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of April 24, 2025
City Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246
Buellton, California
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Lewis 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 (Via Zoom) Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, City Attorney Greg Murphy, Finance Director Shannel Zamora (Via Zoom), Planning Director Andrea Keefer, Associate Planner Cara Miralles, and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Hornick requested and the Council agreed by consensus to pull Item 5 for discussion.
1. Minutes of April 12, 2025 Special City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of April 10, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
3. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2024/2025
4. Monthly Treasurer’s Report – March 31, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 April 24, 2025
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Silva, approving Consent Calendar Items 1 through 4 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
5. Award of Contract for the Library/Field Parking Lot Project Council Member Hornick questioned paying so much for a parking lot without establishing a need for a parking lot in the area.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Silva, approving Consent Calendar Item 5.
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
6. Proclamation Honoring National Arbor Day – April 25, 2025 Vice Mayor Lewis read the proclamation honoring National Arbor Day on April 25, 2025.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Resolution No. 25-11 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending the Housing Element of the General Plan in Regards to Emergency Shelters”
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” (Introduction and First Reading)
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 April 24, 2025
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” (Introduction and First Reading) RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Resolution No. 25-11 and the introduction and first reading of Ordinance Nos. 25-02 and 25-03.
STAFF REPORT:
Associate Planner Miralles presented the staff report via a presentation regarding this item.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed both Development Opportunity Reserve (DOR) and density bonus application fees.
Vice Mayor Lewis opened the public hearing regarding Resolution No. 25-11 at 6:24 p.m., there being no public comment, Vice Mayor Lewis closed the public hearing at 6:25 p.m.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Silva adopting Resolution No. 25-11 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending the Housing Element of the General Plan in Regards to Emergency Shelters” 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
Vice Mayor Lewis opened the public hearing regarding Ordinance No. 25-02 at 6:34 p.m., there being no public comment, Vice Mayor Lewis closed the public hearing at 6:35 p.m.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Silva introducing for first reading 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” by title only and waive further reading and allowing both DOR and density bonus, with DOR granted on a case by case basis, with no requirement for density bonus application fees.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 April 24, 2025
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 3-1, with Council Member Hornick voting no.
Council Member Hornick – No
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Lewis – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
Vice Mayor Lewis opened the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. regarding Ordinance No. 25-03, there being no public comment, Vice Mayor Lewis closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Silva introducing for first 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” by title only and waive further reading.
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
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Hornick requested and the Council agreed by consensus requesting staff agendize discussion regarding creating two separate 501(c)(3) organizations for the Thousand Trees initiative and employee home loan assistance program (housing trust).
Council Member Sanchez announced that Buellton resident, Kacy Caplan, will begin her fundraising campaign for the annual Elk’s Rodeo Queen Contest with a kick-off BBQ and Auction at River View Park on Sunday, April 27 at 12:00 p.m.
Vice Mayor Lewis thanked staff for hosting the Easter Eggstravaganza at River View Park on April 19 and stated it was a great event.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Silva announced that he attended the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) board 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.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 April 24, 2025
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 Sustainable Groundwater Management meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
BUSINESS ITEMS
8. Resolution No. 25-14 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending the Out-of-Agency Agreement for the Provision and Sale of Water to the Zaca Creek Restaurant Located at 1297 Jonata Park Road APN 99-600- 02 Approximately One Quarter of a Mile North of the Incorporation Boundary of the City of Buellton in the Unincorporated Area of Santa Barbara County” RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Resolution No. 25-14.
STAFF REPORT:
Public Works Director Hess presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Silva adopting Resolution No. 25-14 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Amending the Out-of-Agency Agreement for the Provision and Sale of Water to the Zaca Creek Restaurant Located at 1297 Jonata Park Road APN 99-600-02 Approximately One Quarter of a Mile North of the Incorporation Boundary of the City of Buellton in the Unincorporated Area of Santa Barbara County”
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
9. 2025 Water and Wastewater Rate Study Informational Workshop RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive the presentation and provide direction to staff.
STAFF REPORT:
Public Works Director Hess presented the staff report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 April 24, 2025
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Chris Fisher, representing Willdan, joined the meeting via Zoom and discussed the 2025 water and wastewater rate study.
DIRECTION:
The City Council agreed by consensus to direct staff to move forward with the 2025 water and wastewater rate study.
10. Consideration of Funding Request from Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider the funding request from the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum (SYVCM).
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Correspondence was received and made part of the record supporting the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum from Theresa Reilly and Amber Ortiz, (with additional support letters).
Melissa Miller, Buellton, spoke in support of the SYVCM and that it will be a destination for kids and families.
Shelly Silva, Buellton, spoke in support of the SYVCM and how it will enhance the community.
Ashley Jenkins, representing the SYVCM, spoke about various programs and activities that will be brought to the Museum. Ms. Jenkins also discussed the Museum’s updated budget.
The City Council discussed the funding associated with the Children’s Museum.
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Council Member Hornick approving a partnership between the City of Buellton and the SYVCM, consisting of financial contributions according to the schedule outlined in the staff report, subject to annual budget approval by the City Council and that an agreement between the City and the SYVCM be brought back to Council for discussion and approval.
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 7 April 24, 2025
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Mayor Lewis adjourned the regular meeting at 8:05 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
Elysia Lewis
Vice Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Linda Reid
City Clerk