MINUTES OF A SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION AND
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
SOLVANG SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
January 24, 2022
Monday
6:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. - SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Uhrig called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang,
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Charlie Uhrig; Mayor pro tem Mark Infanti; Councilmembers Robert Clarke, Claudia Orona and Jim Thomas
Staff: City Manager Xenia Bradford, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Clarke
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS There were no public comments on Closed Session and Non-Agenda Items.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council recessed to Closed Session at 6:02 p.m. to consider the item listed in the Closed Session agenda.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED POTENTIAL LITIGATION - Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) One potential case
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council reconvened to Open Session at 6:24 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
City Attorney Fleishman reported the Mayor did not participate in the Closed Session matter as he recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest and noted there was no reportable action. 6:30 p.m. OPEN SESSION - REGULAR MEETING
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Charlie Uhrig; Mayor pro tem Mark Infanti; Councilmembers Robert Clarke, Claudia Orona and Jim Thomas
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Staff: City Manager Xenia Bradford, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Orona
CEREMONIAL ITEMS/COMMENDATIONS
Employee of the Quarter Award
City Manager Bradford presented the Employee of the Quarter Award to Trevor Holley, Acting Lead Wastewater Operator.
PRESENTATIONS - None
PROCLAMATIONS - None
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS - NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS WRITTEN OR VERBAL
Sheriff Lieutenant Greene provided an update on the status of the Sheriff's station; noted it was evacuated due to flooding; reported they are operating from trailers and stated there has been no disruption in service.
There were no other public comments.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Bradford announced an upcoming Financial Planning Community Workshop; discussed FY 2022-24 Financial Plan Development next steps; addressed a Utility Rate Community Workshop and next steps; reported on a recent General Plan Update Community Workshop and next steps; commented on forthcoming special City Council meetings to discuss Solvang Districting for Elections; listed upcoming Commission and Committee meetings and talked about the Copenhagen Drive closure and the Advance Calendar.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Councilmember Thomas reported that Rancheros Visitadores will be holding a ride and will be presenting information to City Council and discussed upcoming CalCities meetings.
Councilmember Orona reported having been contacted by a local business owner noting the need for additional trash receptacles and restrooms on the parking lot behind the Wine Valley Inn.
Mayor Uhrig discussed a recent SBAG meeting; provided Caltrans District 5 updates; announced SBCAG and Clean Air Express will be unveiling the first, all-electric commuter bus; spoke about the Santa Ynez Valley Drug Coalition and People Helping People asking for the community's involvement in a recall and recognition survey to address key components of the alcohol and drug prevention efforts in Santa Barbara County and the Santa Ynez Valley; stated People Helping People are distributing free COVID test kits; presented updated statistics regarding food distribution programs in the City and talked about recent actions by the California State Water Board and about Operation Recognition: an educational program for Veterans. Additionally, Mayor Uhrig spoke about the upcoming opening of Peasant's Deli and Markets second location, a Time Capsule ceremony celebrating 100 years of the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, Restaurant Week, new exhibits at the Elverhøj Museum and a career fair hosted by Santa Ynez High School.
Councilmember Clarke announced the passing of Glenn Jacobsen and asked everyone to keep his family in their Minutes 2022-01-24
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thoughts and prayers.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approval of Agenda as Presented.
b. Approve the Minutes of the City Council meeting of January 10, 2022 c. Approve an Agreement with Sunbeam Solar Technologies dba Sunbeam Consulting for engineering design services for the Sewer System Upgrade project PW 176 in the amount of $95,900 for the term January 24, 2022 - December 31, 2022 and authorize the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City, and the City Manager to execute contract amendments within the contingency amount of $4,000 on behalf of the City d. Approve the 2nd Amendment to the Agreement with West Coast Arborists Inc for Street Tree Pruning for the additional amount of $60,000 for the remaining term July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2022; and authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City
Regarding Item No. 4d, Mayor Uhrig confirmed the current contract will go through June 30, 2022 and commented on the list of trees provided with the agenda.
City Manager Bradford requested advancing Item No. 9 (New Item No. 6) immediately after Item No. 5.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
REGULAR BUSINESS AGENDA
5. LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT WITH SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF Receive a report on proposal by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office Fiscal Year 2022-23 rates; and,
b. Authorize City Manager to submit a written notice of dispute resolution Mayor Uhrig declared a conflict of interest; recused himself from this item and left the chamber.
City Manager Bradford provided a brief background, introduced the item and deferred to Russ Bronson, Consultant for a presentation.
Mr. Bronson narrated a PowerPoint presentation of a cost analysis of law enforcement contracts with Santa Barbara County Sheriffs.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke to receive a report on proposal by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office Fiscal Year 2022-23 rates and, authorize City Manager to submit a written notice of dispute resolution, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried with a roll call vote of 4-0, with Mayor Uhrig, absent (recused).
Mayor Uhrig returned to the meeting.
6. SEWER MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Approve Sewer Master Plan Update
City Manager Bradford introduced the item and deferred to Utilities Director Jose Acosta for a report.
Utilities Director Acosta introduced attending consultant and narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding the City of Solvang 2021 Sewer Master Plan.
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Discussion followed regarding periodic reviewing and updating of the plan, concerns regarding volume and growth areas, the possibility of rating increases in the near future, the City's population, the scope of the plan, and responsibilities for pipe maintenance/replacement.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti to approve the Sewer Master Plan Update and include it in the City's CIP, seconded by Mayor Uhrig, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
7. FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 MID YEAR (QTR2) FINANCIAL REPORT Receive the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Mid-Year report and approve budget adjustments as presented in Attachment A.
City Manager Bradford presented the FY 2021-22 Mid-Year Financial Report.
Discussion followed regarding continually seeking grant opportunities including a Caltrans grant.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Councilmember Orona to receive the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Mid-Year report and approve budget adjustments as presented in Attachment A, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
8. FISCAL FORECASTS AND FINANCIAL POLICIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-24 FINANCIAL PLAN
Approve fiscal forecasts and financial policies for the Fiscal Year 2022-24 Financial Plan development City Manager Bradford narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding fiscal forecasts and financial policies for the FY 2022-24 Financial Plan.
Discussion followed regarding the possibility of increasing TOT and having staff provide an idea of impacts if TOT is increased to 12.5% or 13%.
City Attorney Fleishman noted increasing TOT would require a vote of the people at a special election.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Councilmember Thomas to approve fiscal forecasts and financial policies for the Fiscal Year 2022-24 Financial Plan development, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
9. RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY REPORT - "PENSIONS IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY REQUIRE VIGILANCE"
Approve response to the Grand Jury Report titled "Pensions in Santa Barbara County require vigilance" as presented in Attachment A
City Manager Bradford narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding the item.
Discussion followed regarding Calpers rate of returns, responding to Item No. 1A, findings, noting that obligation bonds are risky and the statutory process for responding, under the penal code.
There were no public comments on this item.
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Motion by Councilmember Thomas to approve response to the Grand Jury Report titled "Pensions in Santa Barbara County require vigilance" as presented in Attachment A, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
10. MARKETING CONTRACT TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND STAFF
RECOMMENDATIONS
Receive an update on Tourism Advisory Committee recommendations for Marketing Contract and provide staff with policy direction
City Manager Bradford narrated a PowerPoint presentation with an update on Tourism Advisory Committee recommendations for a marketing contract.
Discussion followed regarding the reason for a request for extension of the marketing contract to allow the contractor to create a year-long program, the need for additional time to create an REP, existing obligations under the current contract, concerns with the lack of City representation for events and permitting events, including website development in the scope of work, considering issuing the RFP as soon as possible, consideration of different organizational structures for the way marketing is provided, having a consistent scope of work, the importance of not having IDK (Cogs & Marvel) participate in the development of an RFP, having the TAC give a presentation to City Council or scheduling a joint workshop.
Discussion continued regarding deliverables, external marketing and digital assets and following design guidelines.
There were no public comments on this item.
City Council concurred to receive an update on Tourism Advisory Committee recommendations for Marketing Contract and direct staff to continue discussions with the TAC and have the TAC Chair present at a future City Council meeting.
11. APPOINT TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER DUE TO RESIGNATION Tourism Advisory Committee member Barry Prescott has resigned from the Committee resulting in a vacancy for the seat appointed by Councilmember Clarke. Councilmember Clarke may appoint an alternate Committee member or direct staff to open a recruitment Councilmember Clarke reported the people he was going to select have conflicts and requested continuing this item to the next City Council meeting.
12. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS - None
13. ADJOURNMENT- Mayor Uhrig adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Cecile
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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