City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 2
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of January 8, 2026
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 Elysia Lewis, Vice Mayor Carla Mead, and Mayor David Silva
Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, City Attorney Greg Murphy, 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 requested that Items 6 and 7 (Proclamations) be moved before the Consent Calendar and the City Council agreed by consensus to this request.
PRESENTATIONS
6. Proclamation Recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Month Mayor Silva read the proclamation recognizing January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the City of Buellton.
Anne McCarty, Executive Director of North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center, and Robin Ghormley, Board President, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force.
Ms. McCarty emphasized the importance of community awareness, education, and collaboration to combat human trafficking locally and statewide.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 January 8, 2026
7. Proclamation Recognizing National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Mayor Silva read the proclamation recognizing January 9, 2026, as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Sergeant James Kurowski accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and expressed gratitude for the Council’s support.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of December 11, 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 – November 30, 2025
4. Approval of Lease Agreement with United States Postal Service for Use of Property Located at 140 West Highway 246 (“Buellton Post Office”)
5. Approval of Measure A Cooperative Agreement for the West Highway 246 Safety Improvement Project
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as listed.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 January 8, 2026
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Hornick reported on recent rainfall causing flooding near the Rancho De Maria Playground and stated that the Public Works Department is investigating the issue.
Council Member Sanchez thanked Public Works staff for street cleanup near the dog park and offered condolences on the passing of Michael Reagan.
Vice Mayor Mead praised Public Works staff for flood management efforts and street sweeping.
Mayor Silva emphasized the importance of community partnerships in distributing human trafficking awareness materials, particularly through local businesses and parks, and encouraged continued collaboration.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Sanchez reported on an Arts and Culture Committee meeting and noted upcoming projects under consideration.
Vice Mayor Mead reported on her appointment to the Community Services Policy Committee she will be attending at the League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Members Conference in Sacramento at the end of January.
BUSINESS ITEMS
8. Discussion of the Possible Purchase and Installation of Pet Microchip Scanners for Placement at Various Locations in the City
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive the presentation from the United Way, discuss as appropriate, and if so desired, direct staff to take further action.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Linda Greco, Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, and Santa Barbara County Animal Services, provided information regarding the high number of stray animals entering shelters annually and the benefits of publicly accessible microchip scanners.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 January 8, 2026
Discussion included potential scanner locations such as Paws Park, the Humane Society, City Hall, dog parks, schools, and other high-traffic areas. Animal Services indicated that heat maps of stray sightings could assist in determining placement.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving an expenditure not to exceed $1,500 for the purchase of five pet microchip scanners, with initial placement at Paws Park, the Humane Society, and City Hall.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
9. Resolution No. 26-01 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, for the Purpose of Budget Amendments from Operational Changes Related to Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget through the First Quarter Ending September 30, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Resolution No. 26-01 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, for the Purpose of Budget Amendments from Operational Changes Related to Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget through the First Quarter Ending September 30, 2024”
STAFF REPORT:
Finance Director Shannel Zamora presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council asked questions regarding reserve usage, budget line items, and the distinction between one-time and ongoing costs. Staff confirmed the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation pledge is budgeted for the current fiscal year and will be revisited in future budget cycles.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Mead, seconded by Council Member Lewis, adopting Resolution No. 26-01.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 January 8, 2026
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
10. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Potential Initiation of Litigation
11. 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 10 and 11. No reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 7:25 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Linda Reid
City Clerk