City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 3
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of June 25, 2026
City Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246
Buellton, California
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Mead called the meeting to order at 6:01 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 (via Zoom)
Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, City Attorney Greg Murphy (via Zoom), Finance Director Shannel Zamora, Planning Director Andrea Keefer, Public Works Director Rose Hess, Recreation Coordinator Allison Firey, Deputy City Clerk Katherine Dary, and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
None
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
Correspondence was received and made part of the record from Benjamen Toth, Social Media & Advisory Board Member, SBGMC, and Chris MacDonald, Southern California News Reporter/Santa Maria Property Owner.
Lauren Lastra, representing Santa Ynez Valley Pride, thanked the City Council for its commitment to inclusion and recognition of Pride Month, highlighting the City's Pride banners and expressing appreciation on behalf of the organization.
Suzette Lopez, representing House of Pride & Equality, thanked the City Council for its continued support and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 June 25, 2026
The City Council expressed appreciation for the community organizations and reaffirmed their support for inclusion, diversity, and allyship.
Vice Mayor Mead presented the proclamation recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Hornick requested that Item 9 be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
2. Minutes of June 11, 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 – May 31, 2026
5. Financial Report for the Third Quarter Ending March 31, 2026
6. Resolution No. 26-17 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Establishing an Appropriation Limit for Fiscal Year 2026-27”
7. Resolution No. 26-18 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Acknowledging the Receipt of and Ordering the Filing of the Annual Statement of Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2026-27 with the City Council”
8. Resolution No. 26-19 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, for the Purpose of Mid-Cycle Budget Amendments Related to Fiscal Year 2026-27”
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving Consent Calendar Items 2 through 8 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 June 25, 2026
9. Second Amendment to MarBorg Industries Contract for Solid Waste Collection Services
DISCUSSION:
Council Member Hornick requested clarification regarding household hazardous waste collection, bulky waste pickup, and options for improving resident access to hazardous waste disposal. Staff explained that quarterly household hazardous waste collection is included in the existing contract and clarified the distinction between household and industrial hazardous waste disposal.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Hornick, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving Consent Calendar Item 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
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Sanchez commented that attendance at the Farmers' Market has slowed and encouraged continued community support.
Mayor Silva thanked the Buellton Chamber of Commerce for recent business grand openings, including Santa Ynez Valley Breakfast and Fortaleza Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.
Mayor Silva requested consensus to bring back a presentation regarding a proposed partnership with the City of Solvang for a possible summer Movie in the Park program. The City Council provided consensus direction for staff to return with the item.
Vice Mayor Mead congratulated Santa Ynez Valley Pride and House of Pride & Equality on successful Pride events, including the Pride Prom and Pride Festival.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 June 25, 2026
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Sanchez reported that he attended the Buellton Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau meeting and provided an oral report for the record. The City Council provided consensus direction for staff to return with information regarding both the north and south billboards and invite the appropriate parties.
Council Member Sanchez reported that he attended the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Council Member Hornick reported that he attended the Library Advisory Committee meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Mayor Silva reported that he attended the Willemsen Property Ad Hoc Committee meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Mayor Silva reported that he attended the League of California Cities Channel Counties Division Dinner and provided an oral report for the record.
Vice Mayor Mead reported that she attended the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Vice Mayor Mead reported that she attended the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
BUSINESS ITEMS
10. Consideration of Arts and Culture Project Applications:
A. En Fuego Events: Buellton Fall Fest 2026
Council Member Sanchez recused himself due to a conflict with En Fuego Events.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council authorize funding in the amount of $6,500 for the Buellton Fall Fest.
STAFF REPORT:
Recreation Coordinator Firey presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed funding for live entertainment, the importance of supporting local musicians, and the recommendation of the Arts and Culture Committee.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 June 25, 2026
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Mead, seconded by Mayor Silva, authorizing funding in the amount of $6,500 to Enfuego Events for the Buellton Fall Fest.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-0-1, with Council Member Sanchez abstaining.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – Abstain
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
10. Consideration of Arts and Culture Project Applications:
B. Friends of the Library: Art and Culture at the Buellton Library RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council authorize funding in the amount of $2,250 for the Friends of the Library proposal.
STAFF REPORT:
Recreation Coordinator Firey presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Former Mayor Holly Sierra highlighted recent Friends of the Library programs and discussed plans for upcoming library events. The City Council discussed the proposed funding allocation, signage requests, and individual project costs.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Vice Mayor Mead, authorizing funding in the amount of $2,250 for the Friends of the Library proposal.
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
11. Discussion of Possible Drone Show During Winter Fest Event RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council discuss this matter and direct staff as appropriate.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 June 25, 2026
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Correspondence supporting the proposed Drone Show was received and made part of the record from Imelda Delgado, Chelsea Rushing, Kaileen Ryan, Becky Heart, and Judith Dale.
The City Council discussed potential costs, scheduling, sponsorship opportunities, coordination with the Buellton Chamber of Commerce, and integration with Winterfest activities.
DIRECTION:
Direction was provided to staff to solicit bids from drone vendors and coordinate with the Buellton Chamber of Commerce.
12. Review of the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Water and Wastewater Rate Increases RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend that the City Council approve the second-year implementation for the water and wastewater rate increases, effective July 1, 2026.
STAFF REPORT:
Public Works Director Hess presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council reviewed current water and wastewater enterprise fund revenues and expenditures, reserve balances, and the adopted five-year rate plan.
MOTION:
Motion by Vice Mayor Mead, seconded by Council Member Lewis, approving the secondyear implementation for the water and wastewater rate increases, effective July 1, 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
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 June 25, 2026
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
13. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Potential Initiation of Litigation (2 Items)
The City Council met in closed session to discuss Item 13. No reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Mayor Mead adjourned the regular meeting at 7:51 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
Carla Mead
Vice Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Katherine Dary
Deputy City Clerk