City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 1
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of February 12, 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 Hudson Hornick, Council Member John Sanchez, Vice Mayor Carla Mead, and Mayor David Silva
Absent: Council Member Elysia Lewis
Staff: City Attorney Greg Murphy, Finance Director Shannel Zamora, Contract City Planner Irma Tucker (Via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Katherine Dary, and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
None
PRESENTATIONS
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
John Rohner introduced himself as the new Public Affairs Manager for SoCalGas covering San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. He emphasized ongoing support for local governments and provided his contact information.
Kevin Little, Buellton, read a letter to the City Council regarding concerns related to operations at Buellton Community Garden and requested City review of the matter.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 February 12, 2026
CONSENT CALENDAR
Finance Director Shannel Zamora noted a typographical error in Item 5. The Six-Month Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26 from the Buellton Visitors Bureau should reference December 2025, not December 2026.
Council Member Hornick requested that Item 6 be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
1. Minutes of January 10, 2026, Special City Council Meeting
2. Minutes of January 8, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting
3. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2025/2026
4. Monthly Treasurer’s Report – December 31, 2025
5. Six-Month Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26 from the Buellton Visitors Bureau
7. Consideration of a Letter of Intent for the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Vice Mayor Mead, to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 5 and 7.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
6. Establishment of City Council Priorities for 2026
The City Council agreed by consensus to continue Item 6 to the City Council Meeting of February 26 due to the absence of City Manager Wolfe.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 February 12, 2026
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Hornick announced that the City’s tree planting program is progressing well, with remaining inventory available at a discounted rate. He requested that staff review irrigation damage and perform maintenance at the Williamson property site.
Council Member Sanchez announced that he attended the Triumph Foundation wheelchair rugby event and noted the organization’s support services.
Council Member Sanchez thanked the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation and Mayor Silva for their involvement in the Polar Bear Plunge at Santa Ynez Highschool.
Council Member Sanchez announced that he attended auditions for the theater production of Annie.
Vice Mayor Mead announced that she attended the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation Polar Bear Plunge and the Triumph Foundation wheelchair rugby event and highlighted the organization’s adaptive support programs.
Mayor Silva announced that he attended the League of California Cities (LOCC) Mayors and Council Members Academy in Sacramento with Vice Mayor Mead and City Manager Wolfe and met with legislative leaders regarding housing matters.
Mayor Silva reported increased migration of unhoused individuals into the Santa Ynez Valley following riverbed encampment cleanups conducted by the City of Lompoc.
Mayor Silva announced that a coordination meeting was held with Dr. Bailey and Lieutenant Henderson to discuss emergency preparedness collaboration among the City, the Buellton Union School District, and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.
Mayor Silva reported that the Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP) grant application was denied and that a regional meeting was convened with members of Santa Barbara County, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and the cities of Buellton and Solvang to discuss alternative funding strategies and regional coordination.
Mayor Silva reported progress on the River Trail project and stated that funding for Buellton’s Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) design work has been secured, including anticipated federal funding obtained by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
Mayor Silva announced that he attended CommUnify 211 Community Day Celebration in Lompoc and organizations will be organizing outreach in Buellton.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 February 12, 2026
Mayor Silva announced that he attended the United Boys & Girls Club event recognizing Blue Card recipients and shared that Sylvia Ibarra, Assistant Director of our local Boys & Girls Club, was honored as Assistant Director of the Year.
Mayor Silva reported that Village Senior Apartments have opened, with 22 units leased at the time of the ribbon cutting and additional leases in process.
Mayor Silva thanked the Buellton Rotary Club for conducting a trash cleanup on McMurray Road.
Mayor Silva acknowledged a community meeting hosted by the Friends of the Library regarding expanded library services.
Mayor Silva announced that he conducted door-to-door outreach on the Avenue of Flags to distribute bilingual flyers regarding applications for Buellton Garden Apartments.
Mayor Silva thanked Council Members and City staff for their participation at the Special City Council meeting to review and update Council priorities.
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 regarding the meeting.
Vice Mayor Mead announced that she attended the League of California Cities (LOCC) Community Services Policy Committee meeting in Sacramento and provided an oral report regarding the meeting.
Mayor Silva announced that he attended meetings of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and provided oral reports regarding the meetings.
Mayor Silva stated that full funding has been secured for the final segment of the Highway 101 widening project, with completion anticipated in 2028.
Mayor Silva stated that Highway 246, including the eastern Buellton city limits, is included in the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) funding plan for maintenance improvements.
Mayor Silva stated that Caltrans is conducting a Highway 246 corridor study and is expected to report back to the City. He noted that discussions included potential collaboration regarding ongoing maintenance funding.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 February 12, 2026
Mayor Silva provided an update regarding the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) population forecast through 2060.
Mayor Silva reported that proposed commuter rail service is anticipated to transition from Metrolink to an expansion of Amtrak service, pending final board approval.
Mayor Silva thanked the community for submitting survey responses regarding the Williamson Green/Hundred Hills site and stated that staff will present the survey results and related zoning information at the upcoming ad hoc meeting scheduled for February 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Buellton Library.
BUSINESS ITEMS
8. Approval of Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Guidelines – February 2026 RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt the Draft Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Guidelines - February 2026.
STAFF REPORT:
Contract City Planner Irma Tucker presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed development review standards, traffic impact thresholds, coordination with Caltrans, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) compliance, and CEQA requirements.
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva seconded by Vice Mayor Mead adopting the Draft Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Guidelines - February 2026.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 February 12, 2026
9. Resolution No. 26-02 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Fixing the Employer’s Contribution Under the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act at an Equal Amount for Employees and Annuitants and Revoking Resolution No. 25-17”
Council Member Sanchez recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest with Agenda item 9 and left the dais.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Resolution No. 26-02.
STAFF REPORT:
Finance Director Zamora presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Council Member Hornick requested that Item 9 be tabled to the City Council Meeting of February 26, so City Manager Wolfe can be present for the discussion.
DIRECTION:
The City Council agreed by consensus to table Item 9 to the City Council Meeting of February 26.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
None
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
10. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) regarding: EXISTING LITIGATION (1 matter): City of Buellton v. Thrifty Oil Co., et al.; Santa Barbara County Superior Court Case No. 21CV02778 The City Council met in closed session to discuss Item 10. Unanimous direction was given to settle the case on defined terms. If those terms are agreed to then the settlement will go to the judge for approval and once approved, will be available at City Hall for public review.
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 did not discuss Item 11, as the item was canceled.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 February 12, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 7:35 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Katherine Dary
Deputy City Clerk