City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 3
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of September 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 (via Zoom), Council Member John Sanchez (via Zoom), 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), Public Works Director Rose Hess, and Deputy City Clerk Katherine Dary City Attorney Murphy explained the teleconference meeting locations and noted that Council Member Lewis was participating remotely under the government business exception.
REORDERING OF AGENDA
City Manager Wolfe announced that Presentation Item No. 1 would be heard after Item No. 4; Business Items No. 11 and 12 would be continued to a date uncertain; and Closed Session Item No. 15 was removed from the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Proclamation Recognizing National Voter Registration Day Mayor Silva read the proclamation recognizing September 15, 2026, as National Voter Registration Day.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 September 14, 2026
3. Presentation for Dr. Kim Sheehan of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District
Dr. Kim Sheehan provided a presentation regarding Measure D, including proposed facility improvements, career technical education programs, bond funding, and the anticipated tax impact.
Sue Turner-Cray, Solvang, spoke in opposition to Measure D.
Denise Elamin, Solvang, spoke in opposition to Measure D.
4. Community Organization Support Grant Updates - SYV Humane Society Dr. Shana Schank provided an update on the SYV Humane Society’s use of Community Organization Support Grant funding, including veterinary clinic services, affordable care for community pets, and volunteer support.
1. Proclamation Honoring Brian Nelson
Mayor Silva read a proclamation honoring Brian Nelson. Mrs. Nelson accepted the proclamation along with their son, Jeremy, and family friend John.
Michael Holliday spoke in honor of Brian Nelson and his passion for community service and thanked the City of Buellton for its support of the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Holly Sierra, Friends of the Buellton Library, thanked the City Council for its support through Nonprofit Night and stated that funds would be used toward patio furniture for the library. She recognized September as Library Card Sign-Up Month and invited the community to attend the unveiling of the Williamson mural at the library on September 26, followed by an author series.
Richard Kusmitch, Buellton, spoke regarding El Niño preparedness and asked the City to consider the role of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program in emergency preparedness.
Kevin Little, Buellton, spoke regarding the Buellton Community Garden and requested that the City consider alternative management of the garden.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 September 14, 2026
CONSENT CALENDAR
5. Minutes of August 24, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting
6. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 and 2026/2027
7. Monthly Treasurer’s Report – July 31, 2026
8. Acceptance of City of Buellton Transportation Development Act (TDA) Fund Financial Statements for Years Ended June 30, 2025, and June 30, 2024, with Independent Auditor’s Report
9. Public Disclosure of Donations Received by the City of Buellton During July 2026 MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Mayor Silva, approving Consent Calendar Items 5 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
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/ITEMS
Council Member Hornick requested Council consensus for staff to explore potential partnerships with the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District.
Vice Mayor Mead recognized the Cars and Cowboys event and its support of Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach and Meals on Wheels.
Vice Mayor Mead recognized the Into the Forest banners and thanked the Arts and Culture Committee and participating artists and sponsors.
Vice Mayor Mead encouraged community participation in Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Santa Ynez Valley Trail Project outreach.
Mayor Silva thanked those involved with Solvang Cinema Art’s Movie in the Park.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 September 14, 2026
Mayor Silva requested that the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program be included in a future El Niño preparedness discussion.
Mayor Silva requested that the City Attorney review concerns raised regarding the Buellton Community Garden.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Vice Mayor Mead reported that she attended the Central Management Area (CMA) Groundwater meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
BUSINESS ITEMS
10. Annual Report for Calendar Year 2025 from Visit Santa Ynez Valley RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive and file this 2025 annual report.
STAFF REPORT:
Finance Director Zamora presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Shelby Sim, President and CEO of Visit Santa Ynez Valley, presented the 2025 Annual Report. The City Council discussed tourism throughout the Santa Ynez Valley, visitor stays, the Visit SYV events calendar, marketing efforts, and filming opportunities in the area.
DIRECTION:
The City Council received and filed the 2025 Annual Report.
13. Discussion Regarding Botanic Garden Request for Fencing on Newly Acquired City Property
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council review the request and discuss the merits of funding this work.
STAFF REPORT:
Public Works Director Hess presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 September 14, 2026
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed the proposed fencing, ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the property, the estimated cost, the purpose of restricting access to the riverbed area, and the Botanic Garden's future for the property.
DIRECTION:
The City Council directed staff to obtain competitive bids for the fencing, coordinate with the Botanic Garden regarding its plans and timing, and return the item to the City Council for further consideration. The City Council also requested that the Botanic Garden be invited to participate when the item is returns.
14. Resolution No. 26-24 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Regarding Parking Restrictions at the South Cul-de-Sac of McMurray Road”
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adoption of Resolution No. 26-24 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Regarding Parking Restrictions at the South Cul-de-Sac of McMurray Road”
STAFF REPORT:
Public Works Director Hess presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
Dr. Bailey discussed the school district's request for parking restrictions near the Buellton Garden Apartments to provide clearance and improve safety for school bus pickup and drop-off. The City Council discussed the proposed red-curb areas on both sides of the driveway, bus maneuvering and visibility, parking impacts, and student safety.
MOTION:
Motion by Mayor Silva, seconded by Vice Mayor Mead, approving the adoption of Resolution No. 26-24 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Buellton, California, Regarding Parking Restrictions at the South Cul-de-Sac of McMurray Road” VOTE:
Motion passed by a roll call vote of 4-1, with Council Member Sanchez voting No.
Council Member Hornick – Yes
Council Member Lewis – Yes
Council Member Sanchez – No
Vice Mayor Mead – Yes
Mayor Silva – Yes
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 September 14, 2026
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Silva adjourned the regular meeting at 8:20 p.m. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
_______________________________
Katherine Dary
Deputy City Clerk