City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 3
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of May 14, 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, and Mayor David Silva
Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, Assistant City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez (Via Zoom), Finance Director Shannel Zamora, Planning Director Andrea Keefer, Public Works Director Rose Hess (Via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Katherine Dary, and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
None
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, 2026
Mayor Silva read the proclamation recognizing May 4 – 8, 2026, as Teacher Appreciation Week in the City of Buellton and presented the proclamation to Lisa Melby, Principal of Oak Valley Elementary School. Ms. Melby thanked the City Council on behalf of the teachers and shared that Oak Valley Elementary School was recently honored as a 2026 National Gold Star School by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 May 14, 2026
2. Proclamation Recognizing National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, May 15, 2026, and National Police Week, May 15 - 21, 2026
Mayor Silva read the proclamation recognizing May 15, 2026, as National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and May 15 – 21, 2026, as National Police Week. Deputy Fournier accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Buellton Police Department.
3. Proclamation Recognizing National Military Appreciation Month – May 2026 Mayor Silva read the proclamation recognizing May 2026 as National Military Appreciation Month. Pam Knekow thanked the City Council and recognized local high school seniors Elizabeth Ramirez, Christian Pineda, and Yahir Torres for their commitment to military service in the United States Army and United States Marine Corps.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Scott Aiken, Buellton, requested the City Council reconsider the ban on short-term rentals and suggested implementing reasonable regulations in place of a total ban.
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. Minutes of April 9, 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 – March 31, 2026
7. Approval of Bond Release for Rio Vista Car Wash Project
8. Award of Bid for Purchase of Recreation Van
9. Resolution No. 26-11 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 List of Projects Funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017”
10. Resolution No. 26-08 - “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Adopting Updated Personnel Rules for City Employees, Effective Date:
November 8, 2018, and Effective Date: March 12, 2026”
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving Consent Calendar Items 4 through 10 as listed.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 May 14, 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
PUBLIC HEARINGS
11. Ordinance No. 26-04 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Revising Floodplain Management, Chapter 8.06, of the Buellton Municipal Code (Introduction and First Reading)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 26-04 - “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Revising “Floodplain Management,” Chapter 17.04, of the Buellton Municipal Code” by title only and waive further reading.
STAFF REPORT:
Public Works Director Ross Hess presented the staff report. Ordinance No. 26-04 was revised from Chapter 8.06 to Chapter 17.04 of the Buellton Municipal Code.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Mayor Silva opened the public hearing regarding Ordinance No. 26-04 at 6:24 p.m.
John Dorwin, Buellton, expressed concerns regarding flood control and maintenance along Zaca Creek, including outdated easements, vegetation and obstructions within the creek, enforcement of existing stormwater regulations, and the City’s preparedness for a potential El Niño event. Mr. Dorwin also recommended the Council review its flood control and drainage planning efforts and coordination with Santa Barbara County Flood Control.
Mayor Silva closed the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.
The City Council discussed distinctions between floodplain management, flood control, and stormwater management, and confirmed the ordinance relates to development within the floodplain and FEMA compliance requirements.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 May 14, 2026
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Hornick, approving the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 26-04 - “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Revising “Floodplain Management,” Chapter
17.04, of the Buellton Municipal Code” by title only and waive further reading, with the provision that the phrase “shall be referred” be revised to “may be referred” regarding the City’s Floodplain Administrator.
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 Hornick discussed recurring traffic signal timing concerns at the McMurray Road and Highway 246 intersection and ongoing coordination with Caltrans and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) regarding potential improvements.
Vice Mayor Mead suggested exploring consultant services for City branding and website modernization. The City Council supported initial staff research and future discussion.
Vice Mayor Mead discussed the possibility of incorporating a drone show into Buellton Winterfest activities.
Mayor Silva requested staff review park signage related to smoking, alcohol, and leash law regulations at City parks.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Hornick reported that he attended the Regional Childhood Education Coalition meeting and provided an oral report.
Mayor Silva reported that he attended the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) meeting and provided an oral report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 May 14, 2026
BUSINESS ITEMS
12. Request for Reimbursement for Damages and Rent Abatement from Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend that the City Council consider the request as presented and take action as deemed appropriate.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Scott Wolfe presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Bob Sweeney addressed the City Council regarding business impacts experienced during construction of the Library parking lot, including loss of parking access, reduced customer access, alleged revenue losses, and concerns regarding horse illnesses and the death of a pony. Mr. Sweeney requested the City Council consider financial assistance related to the impact experienced during construction activities.
The City Council discussed access to the business during construction, project coordination, and concerns raised by Mr. Sweeney. Assistant City Attorney Gutierrez recommended continuation of the item to allow additional review of project documentation and concerns discussed during the meeting.
DIRECTION:
The City Council agreed by consensus to continue the item to a future meeting for additional review and discussion.
13. CalPERS Pension Funding Update and Discussion and Direction on Options for Reducing the City’s CalPERS Pension Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive and file the annual CalPERS pension funding update;
2. Direct staff to discontinue making further ADPs to CalPERS at this time;
3. Direct that the previously contemplated $175,000 ADP be set aside for a future pension volatility reserve rather than paid directly to CalPERS; and
4. Direct staff to return at a future City Council meeting with recommended parameters for a pension volatility reserve policy, including target funding levels, eligible uses, replenishment provisions, governance, and reporting requirements.
STAFF REPORT:
Finance Director Shannel Zamora presented the staff report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 May 14, 2026
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Dan Matusiewicz, Pension Funding Consultant, provided the City’s annual CalPERS pension funding update.
The City Council discussed potential options for establishing a pension reserve, including maintaining an in-house reserve fund or creating a Section 115 Trust. Discussion included flexibility of reserve funds, investment strategies, long-term pension obligations, and balancing risk versus liquidity. Staff clarified both options would be brought back for further review and comparison.
DIRECTION:
The City Council received and filed the annual CalPERS pension funding update; provided direction to discontinue additional discretionary payments to CalPERS at this time; directed the previously contemplated $175,000 additional discretionary payment be set aside toward a future pension volatility reserve; and directed staff to return with additional information comparing an in-house reserve option and a Section 115 Trust option for future City Council consideration.
14. Resolution No. 26-10 – “Establishing an Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for All Regular Full-Time Employees Based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Los Angeles–Long Beach– Anaheim, CA Area”
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Resolution No. 26-10 “Establishing an Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for All Regular Full-Time Employees Based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA Area”, with adjustments Applied Annually Within a Range of 0% to 5%.
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 discussed the benefits of establishing a consistent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) framework and noted appreciation for the survey of surrounding agencies included in the staff report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 May 14, 2026
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Hornick, seconded by Council Member Lewis, approving Resolution No. 26-10 - “Establishing an Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for All Regular Full-Time Employees Based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA Area”, with adjustments Applied Annually Within a Range of 0% to 5%.
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
15. 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 15. No reportable action was taken.
16. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Section 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(3):
(1 case) Pursuant to Subsection (e)(3), the Written Communication Received by the City is the Notice of Commencement of Action, Dated May 6, 2026, from Attorney Christopher R. Guillen of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLC, and is Attached to the Council packet.
Council Member Hornick left the dais at 9:08 p.m., prior to the discussion of Item 16. The City Council met in closed session to discuss Item 16. No reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 9:31 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
_____________________________ Mayor
Katherine Dary
Deputy City Clerk