City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 5
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of August 24, 2026
City Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246
Buellton, California
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Silva called the meeting to order at 6:06 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, City Attorney Greg Murphy (via Zoom), Finance Director Shannel Zamora (via Zoom), Planning Director Andrea Keefer, Public Works Director Rose Hess, Deputy City Clerk Katherine Dary, and City Clerk Linda Reid
REORDERING OF AGENDA
City Manager Wolfe announced that Business Items 9 and 10 would be heard prior to Item 8, Closed Session Item 11 would be removed from the agenda, and an informational presentation from the Buellton Community Garden would be added following Item 1.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing Women’s Equality Day – August 26, 2026 Mayor Silva presented the proclamation recognizing Women’s Equality Day – August 26, 2026. Tracy Beard, Santa Barbara County Commission for Women; Alexandra Magana, Third District Commissioner; and Meighan Dietenhofer, representing Supervisor Hartmann’s Office, spoke in support of the proclamation. The City Council thanked the speakers for attending and supporting the proclamation.
Community Organization Support Grant Updates – Buellton Community Garden
Chantel Green, representing the Buellton Community Garden, provided an update on improvements to the garden, including the covered compost area, community garden beds, community events, educational opportunities, and future improvements.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 August 24, 2026
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Tracy Beard, President of the League of Women Voters of North Santa Barbara County, announced a candidate forum to be held on October 15, 2026, at Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach and thanked the candidates for running for office.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Minutes of August 10, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting
3. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2026/27
4. Consideration of First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement Between the City of Goleta and the City of Buellton
5. Approval of Bond Release for Village Senior Apartments Project
6. Acceptance of Bid and Award of Construction Contract for the 2025/26 Road Maintenance Project
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Silva, approving Consent Calendar Items 2 through 6 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
7. Ordinance No. 26-07 – “An Ordinance of the City Council, of the City of Buellton, California, Re-Adopting Chapter 8.12 of the Buellton Municipal Code Pertaining to the 2025 California Fire Code as Adopted and Amended by the County of Santa Barbara” (Second Reading)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider the second reading of Ordinance No. 26-07.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 August 24, 2026
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Mayor Silva opened the Public Hearing at 6:28 p.m. There being no public comment, Mayor Silva closed the Public Hearing at 6:29 p.m.
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Vice Mayor Mead, approving Ordinance No. 26-07 – “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, ReAdopting Chapter 8.12 of the Buellton Municipal Code Pertaining to the 2025 California Fire Code as Adopted and Amended by the County of Santa Barbara” 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
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Mayor Silva requested and received City Council consensus to recognize Brian Nelson with a proclamation at a future meeting.
Mayor Silva requested and received City Council consensus to have staff bring back information regarding disaster preparedness, including available community resources and information regarding drainage and flood preparedness.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Silva reported that he attended the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District (APCD) meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
Mayor Silva reported that he attended the Santa Barbara County Associations of Government (SBCAG) meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 August 24, 2026
BUSINESS ITEMS
9. Consideration of Law Enforcement Service Alternatives RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council discuss this matter and provide direction to staff as to next steps.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
City of Lompoc Police Chief Martin discussed the potential for the City of Lompoc to provide law enforcement services to Buellton, including staffing, technology, officer rotations, and shared costs.
Lieutenant Henderson discussed the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office’s longstanding partnership with the City of Buellton, community-based policing, staffing, available resources, and deputy assignments.
Elaine Alvarado, representing the Buellton Union School District, discussed law enforcement coverage around school sites, traffic and speeding concerns, school safety, and the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the School District and law enforcement.
The City Council discussed current and potential law enforcement services, staffing levels, costs, community-based policing, school safety, contract negotiations, shared services with neighboring jurisdictions, governance and oversight, and the importance of community outreach.
DIRECTION:
The City Council provided consensus direction to staff to explore a one-year extension of the existing agreement with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, continue evaluating law enforcement service alternatives, conduct community outreach regarding law enforcement services and priorities, and continue discussions with neighboring jurisdictions.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 August 24, 2026
10. Conceptual Review of the 560 Avenue of Flags Mixed Use Project RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council review the conceptual plans and provide comments to the Applicant on the project for consideration in a formal application submittal.
STAFF REPORT:
Contract City Planner Tucker presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Emily Ewer, Oasis Associates, and Tom Jess, Arris Studio Architects, presented the conceptual plans for the proposed mixed-use project.
The City Council discussed the proposed residential and commercial uses, affordable housing, parking, building height and design, bicycle parking, landscaping, outdoor seating, lighting, and other aspects of the project.
DIRECTION:
City Council reviewed and provided comments to the Applicant on the conceptual plans for consideration in a formal application submittal.
8. Selection of Vendor for Drone Show during Winter Fest Event RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council select a vendor as well as a preferred show size and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement for service that is in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
STAFF REPORT:
City Manager Wolfe presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Kathy Vreeland discussed the Winter Fest event and its coordination with the Botanic Garden Holiday Lights Festival.
The City Council discussed the proposed drone show, number of drones, costs, potential community and economic benefits, and sponsorship opportunities.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 August 24, 2026
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Vice Mayor Mead, selecting Electric Sky for a 300- drone show at a cost of $29,500 and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for services in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-1, with Council Member Hornick voting No.
Council Member Hornick – No
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
12. Closed Session Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) regarding: EXISTING LITIGATION (1 matter): Kerry S. Moriarty, et al. v. City of Buellton, et al.; Santa Barbara County Superior Court Case No. 26CV03170 Council Member Hornick left the dais at 8:40 p.m. The City Council met in closed session to discuss Item 12. No reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 8:50 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
_______________________________
Katherine Dary
Deputy City Clerk