City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 4
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of March 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 John Sanchez, Council Member Elysia Lewis, Vice Mayor Carla Mead, and Mayor David Silva
Absent: Council Member Hudson Hornick
Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, City Attorney Greg Murphy, Finance Director Shannel Zamora (Via Zoom), Planning Director Andrea Keefer, Public Works Director Rose Hess (Via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Katherine Dary and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
Closed Session Item No. 10 was cancelled and will be brought back at a future meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Noah Silvola, Buellton, spoke regarding the need for a movie theater in the community and suggested potential locations for such a use.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of February 26, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 March 12, 2026
2. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2025/2026
3. Monthly Treasurer’s Report - January 31, 2026
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” (Second Reading)
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” (Second Reading)
Resolution No. 26-05 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adopting Updated Community Design Guidelines and Superseding Prior Versions”
6. Resolution No. 26-04 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adopting the Measure A Five-Year Local Program of Projects for Fiscal Years 2026/2027 - 2030/2031”
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Vice Mayor Mead, approving Consent Calendar Items 1 through 6 as listed.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Ordinance No. 26-03 – “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)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 26-03.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 March 12, 2026
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report. Ordinance No. 26-03 was revised to incorporate clarifications and changes requested by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The revised ordinance was provided to the City Council and included as part of the meeting materials.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Correspondence was received and made part of the record from attorney Christopher Guillen with Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, and Schreck regarding Ordinance No. 26-03.
Mayor Silva opened the public hearing regarding Ordinance No. 26-03 at 6:08 p.m.
Kerry Moriarty, Buellton, spoke in opposition to proposed Ordinance No. 26-03, expressing concern that the Ordinance could result in the displacement of approximately 22 low-income residents. He stated that relocation options for these residents remain uncertain.
Mack Carlson, attorney with Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, and Schreck, spoke in opposition to proposed Ordinance No. 26-03. He stated that the ordinance does not provide assurances regarding relocation assistance or the availability of affordable housing options.
Maryanne de Goede, Buellton, stated that she lives at the Farmhouse Motel. She shared her experience living on the property and noted that many of the residents are working individuals and seniors.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Silva closed the public hearing at 6:18 p.m.
The City Council discussed timelines for compliance, potential extensions for residents on affordable housing waitlists, and ongoing outreach efforts by the City to inform and assist residents.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Vice Mayor Mead, approving the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 26-03, “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” by title only and waive further reading.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 March 12, 2026
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Sanchez announced the upcoming Buellton Wine and Chili Festival and the Buellton Farmers Market.
Council Member Sanchez encouraged attendance at the Friends of the Library art exhibit.
Council Member Lewis expressed excitement about the Buellton Farmers Market Vice Mayor Mead thanked the Public Works Department for the installation of communication boards in City parks and recognized Shannon Sadecki and Shay MacDonald for their support and efforts in bringing the project forward.
Vice Mayor Mead requested that a letter of support for Assembly Bill 1708 be agendized for a future meeting.
Mayor Silva announced the upcoming Santa Ynez Valley Benefits Fair scheduled for April 8, 2026, at Oak Valley Elementary School in Buellton.
Mayor Silva stated that the City recently adopted the Dark Sky Ordinance and requested staff prepare a proclamation recognizing International Dark Sky Week, April 13-20.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Silva reported that he attended the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) North County Subregional Committee meeting and provided an oral report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 March 12, 2026
BUSINESS ITEMS
8. Consideration to Enter into a Contract with Kosmont Companies for the Preparation of the Economic Development Element of the General Plan and General Economic Development Services
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Kosmont Companies on the basic terms set forth in the attached contract for an amount not-to-exceed $50,000 for the preparation of the Economic Development Element for the Comprehensive General Plan Update, and general economic development advisory services for Fiscal Year 2026/2027.
STAFF REPORT:
Planning Director Keefer presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed the scope of work and budget for the proposed services. Joe Dieguez, Vice President of Kosmont Companies, thanked the City Council for the opportunity to continue working with the City.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving a contract with Kosmont Companies on the basic terms set forth in the attached contract for an amount not-to-exceed $50,000 for the preparation of the Economic Development Element for the Comprehensive General Plan Update, and general economic development advisory services for Fiscal Year 2026/2027, with any unused current fiscal year funds to be carried over into the next fiscal year.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 March 12, 2026
9. Resolution No. 26-03 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adopting Updated Personnel Rules and Policies for City Employees” RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council discuss the proposed changes to the Personnel Rules and Policies and consider adoption of Resolution No. 26-03 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adopting Updated Personnel Rules and Policies for City Employees”
STAFF REPORT:
City Clerk/ HR Director Reid presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed on-call pay, holiday observances, and policy updates.
Personnel Attorney Richard Shreiba provided clarification regarding legal implications related to the proposed updates.
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving Resolution No. 26-03 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adopting Updated Personnel Rules and Policies for City Employees” with the removal of Juneteenth and Cesar Chavez Day as City observed holidays.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0.
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
10. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Potential Initiation of Litigation
Closed session Item No.10 was cancelled.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 March 12, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 7:17 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
_______________________________
Katherine Dary
Deputy City Clerk