City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 5
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of March 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 Hudson Hornick, Council Member Elysia Lewis, Council Member John Sanchez, Vice Mayor Carla Mead (Via Zoom), and Mayor David Silva
Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, Assistant City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez, Public Works Director Rose Hess (Via Zoom), Finance Director Shannel Zamora (Via Zoom), Planning Director Andrea Keefer, Associate Planner Cara Miralles, 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
1. Proclamation Recognizing National Vietnam War Veterans Day – March 29, 2026 Mayor Silva read the proclamation recognizing National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Pam Gnekow, Chief Executive Officer of Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach, thanked the City Council for its continued support of veterans and introduced Dave Smith and Steve Kester who shared personal stories emphasizing the importance of honoring those who served, as well as the growth of local appreciation events. Council Members expressed their appreciation for veterans.
2. General Law Enforcement Update – Lieutenant Henderson Item No. 2 was cancelled.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 March 26, 2026
3. Arts and Culture Program – Annie Production Preview
Recreation Coordinator Allison Firey provided an update on the City’s theater program and introduced Lily Wolfe, who performed a song from Annie. The production is scheduled for April 17–18, 2026, at the Solvang Theater.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Silva requested that Item No. 10 be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
4. Minutes of March 12, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting
5. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2025/2026
6. Monthly Treasurer’s Report – February 28, 2026
7. Financial Report for the Second Quarter Ending December 31, 2025
8. Receive and File the 2025 Annual Report on the Status of the General Plan
9. Resolution No. 26-06 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Authorizing the Filing of a Claim with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments for Allocation of Transportation Development Act Funds for Fiscal Year 2026-27”
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Mayor Silva, approving Consent Calendar Items 4 through 9 as listed.
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 Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 March 26, 2026
10. 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)” (Second Reading) Council Member Hornick recused himself from Item No. 10 and left the dais.
City Manager Scott Wolf provided an update that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) accepted the City Council’s recent ordinance changes with no further comments.
Mack Carlson, an attorney with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, discussed the letter from attorney Christopher Guillen, also with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, submitted to the City Council regarding Ordinance No. 26-03 and made part of the record. Mr. Carlson spoke in opposition to the ordinance, emphasizing that while HCD’s approval is important, it does not cure legal deficiencies in the ordinance.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Mayor Silva to approve 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)” by title only and waive further reading.
VOTE:
Motion passed by roll call vote of 4-0.
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Yes
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Hornick discussed the Santa Ynez Valley Clean Team’s weekly cleanup efforts and requested City coordination for supplies and highway adoption support.
Vice Mayor Mead highlighted upcoming community activities, including the Rotary Club Avenue of Flags cleanup and the Easter Eggstravaganza at Riverview Park.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 March 26, 2026
Mayor Silva thanked organizers and local businesses for the Wine and Chili Festival and encouraged feedback to improve the Buellton Farmers Market.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Sanchez reported attending a Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA) meeting and provided an oral report.
Vice Mayor Mead reported attending the Cal Cities Community Services Policy Committee and provided an oral report.
Mayor Silva reported attending City Leaders Summit and provided an oral report.
Mayor Silva reported attending SYV Economic Summit and provided an oral report.
Mayor Silva reported attending meetings for Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) in Sacramento CA and Washington DC and provided an oral report.
BUSINESS ITEMS
11. Discussion of City Position on Assembly Bill 1708
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council discuss this matter and direct staff as appropriate.
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 asked about compliance requirements, the countywide homeless action plan, and whether the City would be bound by certain actions if funds were received.
Clarification was provided that Santa Barbara County has a plan the City is part of and the City would evaluate terms if funds were applied for.
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Mead, seconded by Council Member Lewis, to direct staff to write a letter of support for Assembly Bill 1708.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 March 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
12. Resolution No. 26-07 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Regarding Mid-Year Budget Amendments for FY 2025-26” RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Resolution No. 26-07.
STAFF REPORT:
Finance Director Zamora presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council asked about fund balance and reserves, revenue targets, and the impact of the rate increases on water and wastewater funds. Finance Director Zamora clarified the reserve policy and how amendments affect reserves.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Lewis, approving Resolution No. 26-07 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Regarding Mid-Year Budget Amendments for FY 2025-26” 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 Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 March 26, 2026
13. Contract for Environmental Permitting for the Willemsen Property Phase II Road Crossing Improvements Project
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council direct the City Manager to execute the attached contract with Kevin Merk Associates, not to exceed $21,940, and prepare a budget adjustment for this cost.
STAFF REPORT:
Associate Planner Miralles presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council asked for clarification on the nature of the crossing and impacts on wetlands. Discussion included the approximate size and cost of the road construction.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Mayor Silva approving the City Manager to execute the contract with Kevin Merk Associates, not to exceed $21,940, and prepare a budget adjustment for this cost.
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
14. Discussion on Potential Relocation of Portion of Pea Soup Andersen's Building to Median 3
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council discuss and provide direction to staff regarding the relocation of a portion of Pea Soup Andersen’s Building to Median 3 on the Avenue of Flags.
STAFF REPORT:
Planning Director Keefer presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 March 26, 2026
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed feasibility, design compatibility, historical value, and safety considerations. The City Council also showed interest in alternative ways to honor the building’s historical significance, such as incorporating architectural elements or interpretive features.
DIRECTION:
The City Council agreed by consensus to direct staff to return with a comprehensive list of mitigation options following completion of the historic resources report.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
15. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Potential Initiation of Litigation
Closed Session Item No. 16 has been cancelled.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 7:40 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
_______________________________
Katherine Dary
Deputy City Clerk