City Manager Review: SW
Council Agenda Item No.: 4
CITY OF BUELLTON
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of September 28, 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 Elysia Lewis, Council Member John Sanchez, Vice Mayor Carla Mead, and Mayor David Silva
Absent: Council Member Hudson Hornick
Staff: City Manager Scott Wolfe, Assistant City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez, Finance Director Shannel Zamora (via Zoom), Planning Director Andrea Keefer, Public Works Director Rose Hess, and Deputy City Clerk Katherine Dary,
REORDERING OF AGENDA
City Manager Wolfe stated that the Closed Session was cancelled and that Public Comments would be heard prior to the presentations due to a speaker's time constraint.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Robert Kotowski, PGA Golf Professional and Director of the California Blind, Disabled and Adaptive Golf Association, spoke regarding adaptive golf opportunities and equipment available for community use.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month Mayor Silva presented the Proclamation Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Adriana Reyes and Maria Larios-Horton with Centro Corazon Comunitario spoke in support of the proclamation.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 September 28, 2026
2. Community Organization Support Grant Updates – Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
Hannah Ryckman, Grant Strategy Officer with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, provided an update on services provided to Buellton residents and the use of the City's grant funding. She also discussed CalFresh outreach, Farm to Foodbank, emergency food response, and recent funding reductions.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Minutes of September 14, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting
4. List of Claims to be Approved and Ratified for Payment to Date for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 and 2026/2027
5. Monthly Treasurer’s Report – August 31, 2026
6. Approval of Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Grant Agreement and Consulting Services Agreement with Move Santa Barbara
MOTION:
Motion by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, approving Consent Calendar Items 3 through 6 as listed.
VOTE:
Motion passed by a 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 Sanchez reported attending the Friends of the Buellton Library art unveiling event.
Council Member Sanchez thanked City Manager Wolfe for coordinating the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Vice Mayor Mead mentioned the upcoming Scarecrow Fest and encouraged the community to vote for the City of Buellton's scarecrow, No. 19, promoting the upcoming Winterfest drone show.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 September 28, 2026
Mayor Silva requested and received City Council consensus for recognition of Santa Barbara County Associations of Government (SBCAG) 60th Anniversary and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Mayor Silva thanked Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limon for securing $2 million in State funding for the Santa Ynez Valley Children's Museum.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Vice Mayor Mead reported that she attended the Santa Barbara County Associations of Government (SBCAG) meeting and provided an oral report for the record.
BUSINESS ITEMS
7. Avenue of Flags Median 3 Conceptual Plans Sargent Town Planning RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council provide comments on the Median 3 Conceptual Designs and provide direction to Staff to begin preparation of construction drawings.
STAFF REPORT:
Planning Director Keefer presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed the conceptual plans, including shade, landscaping and trees, the fountain, flagpole, restrooms, drinking fountains, food truck area, seating, pedestrian access, and flexible community gathering and event spaces.
Richard Kusmitch, Buellton, asked if public restrooms would be included.
DIRECTION:
The City Council provided comments on the conceptual plans and directed Staff to continue refining the plans with Sargent Town Planning. Staff stated the refined plans would return to the City Council and Planning Commission for further review.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 September 28, 2026
8. Discussion of Change to Regulations Regarding Food Trucks RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council make recommendations on the location(s) they would like to see food trucks allowed and in what capacity, and direct Staff to draft a Zoning Ordinance Amendment.
STAFF REPORT:
Planning Director Keefer presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed potential locations for food trucks, including the Avenue of Flags, Median 3, and Industrial Way. The City Council also discussed special events, hours of operation, parking, waste disposal, noise, restrooms, vehicle storage, permitting and enforcement, and impacts on existing businesses.
DIRECTION:
The City Council provided direction to Staff to consider a limited approach to food trucks in specified locations and at permitted special events and to develop appropriate operating standards. Staff will return with draft ordinance language for further City Council consideration.
9. Discussion of ADA/Inclusive Playground Improvements at Oak Park RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council discuss the opportunities, features, and preferences for new accessible/inclusive playground equipment and identify priorities and provide staff direction.
STAFF REPORT:
Public Works Director presented the staff report.
DOCUMENTS:
Staff report with attachments as listed in the staff report.
SPEAKERS/DISCUSSION:
The City Council discussed accessible swings and play equipment, maintaining slides, wheelchair-accessible equipment, fencing for safety, sensory and quiet areas, accessible connections between play areas, and providing a variety of equipment for children of different ages and abilities.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 September 28, 2026
DIRECTION:
The City Council provided input on priorities for the playground improvements and directed Staff to continue community outreach, incorporating the accessible and inclusive features discussed.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Wolfe provided an informational report for the record.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
10. 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 Closed Session was cancelled.
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, October 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________
David Silva
Mayor
_______________________________
Katherine Dary
Deputy City Clerk