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