City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 1
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of December 11, 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, and Mayor David Silva
Absent: Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis (Arrived at 7:00 p.m.)
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), and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
City Manager Wolfe requested that Item 11 be moved before Public Comments and the City Council agreed by consensus to this request.
PRESENTATIONS
11. Presentation of Gold Cards to Boys and Girls Club Recipients Valerie Morse, representing the United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, thanked the Council for their support and recognition of the Gold Card recipients.
Mayor Silva presented the children with Gold Cards and congratulated each of the Boys and Girls Club Recipients.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 December 11, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Derek Glas, representing the Holiday Lights Festival at the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden requested the City’s sponsorship of the Holiday Lights Festival in the amount of $10,000.
Eva Powers, Buellton, discussed the 1,000 Trees Initiative and the successful planting of 31 15-gallon trees at Oak Valley Elementary School.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of November 13, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting
2. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2025/2026
3. Year 2026 Proposed Calendar of City Council Meetings
4. Monthly Treasurer’s Report – October 31, 2025
5. Financial Report for First Quarter Ending September 30, 2025
6. Notice of Completion and Acceptance of the McMurray Road/Highway 246 Improvement Project
7. Notice of Completion and Acceptance of the 2023/24 – 2024/25 Combined Road Maintenance Project
9. Resolution No. 25-32 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Accepting Quitclaim of Real Property from Buellton Ventures - APN 099- 700-043”
10. Ordinance No. 25-07 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Setting Policies Governing the Planting and Care of Trees on Public Property and Making Provisions for the Emergency Removal of Trees on Private Property under Certain Conditions” (Second Reading)
Council Member Sanchez requested and the Council agreed by consensus to pull Item 8 for discussion.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 December 11, 2025
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Mead, seconded by Council Member Hornick, approving Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 as listed.
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
8. Resolution No. 25-31 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Accepting Donation Agreement and Quitclaim of Real Property from People Self Help Housing Corporation (Buellton Garden Apartments)” Council Member Sanchez questioned the $87,000 trail maintenance impact fee and staff confirmed it is a one-time only fee.
Lauren Nichols, Project Manager with People’s Self-Help Housing, discussed how the trail maintenance impact fee was established.
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Council Member Mead, approving Consent Calendar Item 8 as listed.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 3-1, with Council Member Sanchez voting no.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Mead – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – No
Mayor Silva – Yes
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Sanchez thanked staff and the Buellton Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau for hosting Breakfast with Santa and Winter Fest.
Council Member Sanchez and Council Member Mead thanked the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden staff for hosting the Holiday Lights Festival.
Council Member Mead thanked staff for decorating the Christmas Trees at River View Park and Vineyard Village Park and also thanked the Public Works staff for their continued hard work.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 December 11, 2025
Council Member Hornick thanked Eva Powers and the 1,000 Tree Initiative for planting 31 new 15-gallon trees at Oak Valley Elementary School.
Council Member Hornick stated he would like to see a community cleanup day at the Santa Ynez River area.
Council Member Hornick requested additional communication between the City and residents.
Council Member Hornick stated that People’s Self-Help Housing is hosting a meeting at the Buellton Rec Center on Friday, December 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. regarding the Buellton Garden Apartments rental application process.
Mayor Silva requested and the Council agreed by consensus to agendize discussion of additional funding for the Holiday Lights Festival.
Mayor Silva stated that the Rotary Group is interested in assisting with trash cleanup at the Santa Ynez River area and throughout the City of Buellton.
Mayor Silva stated that rental applications for Buellton Garden Apartments will be available and due on January 13, 2026, and requested that staff reach out to residents via social media regarding this information.
Mayor Silva stated there are a lot of off-leash dogs at Vineyard Village Park and he thanked Council Member Mead for washing off graffiti in this area.
Mayor Silva stated that more communication boards are in development.
Mayor Silva thanked Pam Gnekow and Santa Ynez Community Outreach for hosting Thanksgiving dinner for residents. He also thanked People Helping People for their toy drive, the 1000 Trees Initiative for planting trees at Oak Valley Elementary School and the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden for hosting the Holiday Lights Festival.
Vice Mayor Lewis arrived and took her seat on the dais at 7:00 p.m.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 December 11, 2025
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Silva announced that he attended several events over the past few weeks, including the REACH Event in Santa Maria, the Economic Alliance meeting, and the CHP Task Force Meeting.
Mayor Silva announced that he attended the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) board meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Mayor Silva announced that he attended the Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) board meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
BUSINESS ITEMS
12. Consideration of an Additional Pledge of Financial Support for the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics Complex
Vice Mayor Lewis recused herself regarding Item 12, due to her affiliation with the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics Complex and her employment with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District and stepped down from the dais.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider matching the pledge of an additional $50,000.00 with the same conditions as were approved for the original pledge at the October 23 meeting.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Lisa Palmer, Los Olivos, spoke in support of the City Council’s additional funding of the Aquatics Complex and provided an update regarding the fundraising efforts for the new pool.
Council Member Hornick stated he would like to see the City Council budget additional future funding for the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics Complex, beyond the additional $50,000 pledge.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Silva, approving an additional pledge of $50,000 for the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics Complex, with the same conditions as were approved for the original pledge at the October 23 Council meeting.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 December 11, 2025
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.
13. Discussion of Community Meeting Room Rental Application – 202 Dairyland RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council review and discuss the draft community room rental application package and provide staff direction.
STAFF REPORT:
Public Works Director Hess presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed the following issues:
• Not allowing music or alcohol at the Community Room without a special permit • Room rental cost
• Creating an Ad Hoc Committee to refine the room rental application • Limiting meeting room rentals to government and non-profit organizations DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Hornick, seconded by Mayor Silva, approving the draft community room rental application, upon opening of the new Library parking lot, for governmental and non-profit organizations.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-1, with Council Member Sanchez voting no.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Mead – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – No
Vice Mayor Lewis - Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 December 11, 2025
14. Council Reorganization – Appointment of Vice Mayor
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Council Member Sanchez nominating Council Member Mead as Vice Mayor for 2026.
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
15. Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees A. Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA)
B. County Library Advisory Committee
C. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) D. Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
E. California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
F. League of California Cities (LOCC) – Voting Delegate G. Buellton Chamber of Commerce City Liaison Member
H. Multi-Jurisdictional Solid Waste Task Group
I. Economic Development Task Force
J. City/School District Joint Use Committee
K. Joint Cities-County Affordable Housing Task Group
L. Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance Authority M. Santa Ynez River Valley Groundwater Basin Central Management Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency JPA (CMA GSA)
N. Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) – (Policy Board/Operations Board)
O. Arts & Culture Committee
P. Other Committees Per Council Direction
The City Council nominated the following Council Members to the following Boards, Commissions, and Committees for 2026:
A. Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA)
Council Member Sanchez
Vice Mayor Mead (Alternate)
B. County Library Advisory Committee
Council Member Hornick
Council Member Lewis (Alternate)
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 December 11, 2025
C. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Mayor Silva
Vice Mayor Mead (Alternate)
D. Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
Mayor Silva
Vice Mayor Mead (Alternate)
E. California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
Council Member Lewis
Council Member Sanchez (Alternate)
F. League of California Cities (LOCC)
Mayor Silva (Voting Delegate-Annual Conference)
Vice Mayor Mead (Alternate Voting Delegate-Annual Conference) G. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (City Liaison Member) Council Member Sanchez
H. Multi-Jurisdictional Solid Waste Task Group
Council Member Hornick
Mayor Silva
I. Economic Development Task Force
Vice Mayor Mead
Council Member Hornick
J. City/School District Joint Use Committee
Council Member Lewis
K. Joint Cities-County Affordable Housing Task Group
Mayor Silva
L. Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Power Insurance Authority Council Member Hornick
M. Central Management Area Committee for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)
Council Member Sanchez
Vice Mayor Mead (Alternate)
N. Central Coast Community Energy (3CE)
Mayor Silva
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 9 December 11, 2025
O. Arts & Culture Committee
Council Member Sanchez
Vice Mayor Mead
P. Other Committees Per Council Direction
1000 Trees – Council Member Hornick/Mayor Silva
Green Team – Council Member Hornick
SYV Aquatics Complex Committee – Vice Mayor Mead/Council Member Sanchez SYV Community Outreach – Council Member Hornick/Council Member Sanchez Willemsen Green Space Area – Mayor Silva/Council Member Hornick Children’s Museum – Mayor Silva/Council Member Lewis
DIRECTION:
The City Council agreed by consensus to appoint Council Members as listed above to the respective Boards, Commissions, and Committees for 2026.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
16. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Potential Initiation of Litigation
17. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(1) Facts Creating Significant Exposure to Litigation Not Known to Potential Plaintiffs
The City Council met in closed session to discuss Items 16 and 17. No reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 9:04 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Linda Reid
City Clerk