City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 1
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of February 26, 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 Stephanie Gutierrez, Planning Director Andrea Keefer, Associate Planner Cara Miralles, Finance Director Shannel Zamora (Via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Katherine Dary, and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
None
PRESENTATIONS
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Richard Kusmitch, Buellton, expressed concerns regarding proposed Assembly Bill 1421 and the lack of public information.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 February 26, 2026
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of February 12, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting
2. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2025/2026
3. Public Disclosure of Donations Received by the City of Buellton During January 2026 MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Hornick, approving Consent Calendar Items 1 through 3 as listed.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0 for Item Nos. 2-3.
Motion passed by roll call vote of 4-0-1 for Item No. 1 Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes as to Item Nos. 2-3; Abstain as to Item No. 1 Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Ordinance No. 26-01 – “An Ordinance of the City Council, of the City of Buellton, California, Revising City of Buellton Municipal Code Section 2.12 Regarding City Clerk” (Introduction and First Reading)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 26-01.
STAFF REPORT:
City Clerk/HR Director Reid presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Mayor Silva opened the public hearing regarding Ordinance No. 26-01 at 6:10 p.m. There being no public comment, Mayor Silva closed the public hearing at 6:11 p.m.
The City Council discussed checks and balances, ethical considerations, and organizational clarity related to the City Clerk’s dual roles.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 February 26, 2026
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Council Member Lewis, approving the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 26-01 – “An Ordinance of the City Council, of the City of Buellton, California, Revising City of Buellton Municipal Code Section 2.12 Regarding City Clerk” by title only and waive further reading.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
5. Ordinance No. 26-02 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Revising Title 19 (Zoning) of the Buellton Municipal Code Regarding Outdoor Lighting” (Introduction and First Reading)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 26-02.
STAFF REPORT:
Associate Planner Miralles presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Mayor Silva opened the public hearing regarding Ordinance No. 26-02 at 6:30 p.m.
Theresa Reilly spoke on behalf of We Watch Board of Directors and read a letter into the record in support of the proposed Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Silva closed the public hearing at 6:34 p.m.
The City Council discussion included public safety lighting, Kelvin temperature standards, Avenue of Flags lighting, enforcement, and retrofit considerations.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Hornick, approving the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 26-02 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Revising Title 19 (Zoning) of the Buellton Municipal Code Regarding Outdoor Lighting” by title only and waive further reading and direct staff to prepare a Resolution to update the Community Design Guidelines to be effective in coordination with Ordinance No. 26-02.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 February 26, 2026
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Sanchez reported a concern regarding the roadway surface at the south end of McMurray Road and requested staff to take appropriate action.
Vice Mayor Mead thanked the Buellton Chamber of Commerce for hosting a ribbon cutting for the grand opening of Jersey Mike’s Subs.
Vice Mayor Mead acknowledged Santa Barbara Humane, Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society & DAWG, and ASAP Cats for their collaboration during World Spay Day, which provided spay and neuter services to local families.
Vice Mayor Mead reported that she attended the Youth Making Change (YMC) award event through the Santa Barbara Foundation recognizing local youth grant recipients.
Mayor Silva reported community concerns received during Coffee with the Mayor regarding roadway, sidewalk, and weed conditions in various locations and requested that staff and Caltrans follow-up as appropriate.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Hornick reported that he attended the Hundred Hills Willemsen Green Ad Hoc Committee meeting virtually and provided an oral report.
Council Member Sanchez reported that he attended a meeting with the Buellton Visitors Bureau and provided an oral report.
Council Member Sanchez reported that he attended the Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA) Board meeting and provided an oral report.
Mayor Silva thanked Council Member Hornick and staff for attending the Hundred Hills Willemsen Green Ad Hoc Committee meeting and thanked community members for completing the Willemsen Green survey.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 February 26, 2026
Mayor Silva reported that he attended the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) meeting and provided an oral report.
BUSINESS ITEMS
6. Establishment of City Council Priorities for 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend that the City Council approve Items 1-12 on Attachment 1 as the official 2026 City Council Priorities.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed priorities, including Highway 246 improvements.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Lewis, approving Items 1-12 on Attachment 1 as the official 2026 City Council Priorities.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
7. 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 7 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.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 February 26, 2026
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed premium rates and cash-in-lieu provisions. Staff will return with an informational update in November.
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Vice Mayor Mead, approving 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” VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
8. Report and Request for Direction from Friends of the Buellton Library RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the FOBL report and provide direction to FOBL as deemed appropriate.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Holly Sierra, President of Friends of the Buellton Library, presented updates including furniture purchases, events, art installations, book sales, and mobile library bike programming.
The City Council discussion included outdoor seating, expanded programming, public art policy considerations, and long-term maintenance planning.
DIRECTION:
The City Council encouraged continued coordination with staff and relevant committees.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 February 26, 2026
9. SYV Holiday Lights Festival Sponsorship Request
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 discuss and – if determined appropriate – approve sponsorship funding in the amount of $10,000 to offset event expenses for the SYV Holiday Lights Festival.
STAFF REPORT:
Finance Director Zamora presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Derek Glas, President of Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden spoke in support of the Holiday Lights Festival sponsorship request.
The City Council discussed recurring funding considerations and potential acquisition of City-owned portable lighting equipment. Staff was directed to explore equipment options.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Hornick, approving the sponsorship funding in the amount of $10,000 to offset event expenses for the Holiday Lights Festival.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
10. Consideration of a License Agreement for the Operation of a Farmer’s Market on Avenue of Flags Medians 2 & 3 (APNs 099-293-001 & 099-284-001) RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider entering into a License Agreement with Brenda Browning, the Farmer’s Market operator, to allow for a weekly Farmer’s Market on Avenue of Flags Medians 2 & 3.
STAFF REPORT:
Planning Director Keefer presented the staff report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 February 26, 2026
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Brenda Browning, the Farmer’s market licensee, addressed the Council and responded to questions.
City Council discussion included amplified music limitations, signage, vendor management, parking, business outreach, and enforcement of a no-dogs policy.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving the License Agreement for the Operation of a Farmer’s Market on Avenue of Flags Medians 2 & 3.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 5-0.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
11. 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 11. No reportable action was taken.
12. 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
Council Member Hornick left the dais at 9:12 p.m., prior to the discussion of Item 12. The City Council met in closed session to discuss Item 12. No reportable action was taken.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 9 February 26, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 9:26 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
_______________________________
Katherine Dary
Deputy City Clerk