MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION & REGULAR MEETINGS
SOLVANG
March 28, 2022
Monday
5:30 p.m.
5:30 PM - SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Uhrig called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Robert Clarke; Mark Infanti; Claudia Orona, Jim Thomas, Mayor Uhrig ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Xenia Bradford, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Thomas
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS There were no public comments.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED POTENTIAL LITIGATION (gov. code §54956.9(d) (4)
One (1) potential Case
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION (gov. code §54956.9(d)(1) Name of Case:
South Coast Property Company 13-B, LP v. City of Solvang, Santa Barbara Superior Court Case No. 22CV00254
Mayor Uhrig recessed to Closed Session at 5:32 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Uhrig reconvened the meeting at 6:24 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
City Attorney David Fleishman reported there were no reportable actions during Closed Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Uhrig adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
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6:30 PM - REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Uhrig called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Robert Clarke; Mark Infanti; Claudia Orona, Jim Thomas, Mayor Uhrig ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Xenia Bradford, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter Utilities Director Jose Acosta
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Clarke
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, CEREMONIAL ITEMS - None
PRESENTATIONS
A. Broadband Project Update presentation
Bill Simmons, Project Lead, Broadband Consortium Pacific Coast, referenced a previous proposal regarding the regional strategy for broadband; thanked City Council for its support; introduced Project Coordinator Maria Kelly and deferred to her for a presentation.
Maria Kelly narrated a presentation with an update on the proposed project and announced a panel discussion on May 28, 2022 regarding digital equity and inclusion at City Hall.
Discussion followed regarding mapping and building a hard-wire infrastructure. It was noted that additional information is available at www.sbcag.org.
B. Legislative Update presentation
Dave Mullinax (via Zoom), Cal Cities Representative, provided an update of legislative activities; discussed bills, main legislative categories and housing, ballot initiatives, and upcoming board meetings.
Discussion followed regarding RHNA allocations not taking into account considerations relative to infrastructure such as drought and water shortages.
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS - NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Michael Baker, United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, provided an update on their program.
There were no other public comments.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti, to hear Item No. 5 at this time (7:00 p.m. time certain), seconded by Councilmember Orona, and carried 5-0.
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Item No. 5 was heard at this time.
5. 17:00 PM TIME CERTAIN) PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING BY TITLE ONLY OF ORDINANCE NO. 22-0356 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA, ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 1.12 TO THE SOLVANG MUNICIPAL
CODE TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM AT-LARGE SYSTEM TO BY DISTRICT SYSTEM AND ADOPTING A MAP DESCRIBING
THE BOUNDARIES AND IDENTIFYING ELECTION SEQUENCING FOR EACH ELECTORAL
DISTRICT (FIRST READING)
Hold a Public Hearing to introduce Ordinance No. 22-0356 for the first reading and select final district map and election sequence for each electoral district
City Manager Bradford provided background and deferred to the City's consultant for a report.
Daniel Phillips, Consultant, National Demographics Corporation, narrated a PowerPoint presentation with an update on the City's transition to by-district elections.
Councilmember Thomas thanked Consultant Phillips for incorporating his suggestion for the orange map.
Discussion followed regarding election sequence options and providing for the continuity of government.
Members of Council expressed support for the orange map clockwise version.
Mayor Uhrig opened the public hearing.
There were no public comments and Mayor Uhrig closed the public hearing.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti, to introduce Ordinance No. 22-0356 for the first reading and select the Orange map with the clockwise revision as the final district map and election sequence for each electoral district, seconded by Councilmember Orona, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
City Council continued to Item 1 of the agenda.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Bradford narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the status of the General Plan Update process; discussed the Copenhagen Drive re-opening; announced upcoming special events; presented an update on commissions and committees and addressed the Advance Calendar. In addition, she spoke about next steps for the utility rate study and displayed a short water conservation video.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Councilmember Infanti reported attending a meeting with the Air Pollution Control District and addressed the growing opioid crisis discussed at a recent Project Opioid meeting.
Councilmember Orona expressed condolences to the family and friends of Vincent Becerra.
Mayor Uhrig discussed the upcoming deadline for State Covid emergency rental relief; provided current statistics of Food Bank operations; spoke about attending a recent SBAG meeting on broadband; urged residents to respond to the broadband survey and speed assessments and announced an upcoming Cycle MAYnia event as well as a Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee meeting. He reported receiving a letter from the Butlers, thanking City staff, the Planning Commission and Assistant City Attorney Chelsea O'Sullivan for their work on the Skytt Mesa resolution. On a personal note, Mayor Uhrig shared that his father recently celebrated his 98th birthday.
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4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented. (Item 5 heard at 7:00 p.m. before Item 2) b. Approve Meeting Minutes:
i. Approve the Meeting Minutes of the March 7, 2022 City Council Special, City Council and Planning Commission Joint Special, and Planning Commission Regular as corrected il. Approve the Minutes of the March 14, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting as corrected c. Adopt by title only and waive further reading, of Ordinance 22-0354, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Solvang, California, Amending Title 11 of the Solvang Municipal Code to Address Accessory Structures in the Side-Yard and Rear-Yard Setbacks in Residential Zones d. Adopt by title only and waive further reading, of Ordinance 22-0355, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Solvang, California, Amending Titles 2, 8, 10, 11, and 12 of the Solvang Municipal Code to Reflect Planning Division Reorganization, Clarify Design Review Committee and Planning Commission Powers and Duties, Clarify Appeal Bodies, and Remove Outdated Code Provisions and Typographical Errors
e. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1163, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Solvang designating the City Manager or Accounting Supervisor as the City of Solvang's Authorized Agents (Cal OES form 130) to receive FEMA funding for the Great Plates Program Mayor pro tem Infanti made corrections to the minutes of March 7th and March 14th.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti, to approve the Consent Agenda, with minutes as corrected, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 5 was heard at 7:00 p.m. before Item 2
6. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVING THE GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL REPORT AND TO ADOPT A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 15306 OF THE
GUIDELINES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).
Review and approve the General Plan Annual Report and adopt a categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15306 of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Planning Consultant Laurie Tamura (via Zoom), presented details of the General Plan Annual report.
Discussion followed regarding allocation of new units to the prior versus the current RHNA cycles.
Mayor Uhrig opened the public hearing.
There were no public comments and Mayor Uhrig closed the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Orona, to approve the General Plan Annual Report and adopt a categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15306 of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
REGULAR BUSINESS
7. LCTOP FUNDING FOR THE LOT 4 & 5 EV CHARGING STATION PROJECT Adopt Resolution No. 22-1164, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Solvang designating the City Manager as the City of Solvang's Authorized Agent to execute the Certifications and assurances and agent forms for the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) M 2022-03-28 CC Special and Regular Meeting
City Manager Bradford narrated a PowerPoint presentation and announced the City has qualified for additional funding under the LCTOP.
Discussion followed regarding AB 266 extending the emission bus exemption and tax exemptions in addition to funding.
Mayor Uhrig opened public comments.
There were no public comments and Mayor Uhrig closed public comments.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke, to adopt Resolution No. 22-1164, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Solvang designating the City Manager as the City of Solvang's Authorized Agent to execute the Certifications and assurances and agent forms for the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), seconded by Councilmember Orona, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
8. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT - GRANT WRITING SERVICES FOR WWTP
UPGRADES
Authorize the City Manager to enter into Professional Services Agreement with Carollo Engineers Inc. for grant writing services and approve budget amendment in the amount of $75,500 from General Fund.
City Manager Bradford presented a brief report; noted the PSA is specific to the wastewater treatment plan; discussed funding for the project and reported staff will continue to work on other programs for water infrastructure.
Utilities Director Jose Acosta discussed the phases of the project; reported that staff released an RFP for grant writing services; addressed review of the proposals and noted Carollo Engineers Inc. was selected as the contractor.
Mayor Uhrig opened public comments.
There were no public comments and Mayor Uhrig closed public comments.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti, to authorize the City Manager to enter into Professional Services Agreement with Carollo Engineers Inc. for grant writing services and approve budget amendment in the amount of $75,500 from the General Fund, seconded by Mayor Uhrig, and carried with a roll call vote of
9. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS - None Mayor Uhrig announced that Lieutenant Jeff Greene will be moving to the Air Support Unit for the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department and wished him well.
10. ADJOURNMENT- Mayor Uhrig adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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