Minutes 2022-06-13 CC Special Closed Session & Regular Meeting 1 June 13, 2022
Monday
6:00 p.m.
6:00 PM CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Uhrig called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Charlie Uhrig; Mayor pro tem Mark Infanti; Councilmembers Robert Clarke, Claudia Orona, Jim Thomas
Staff: City Manager Xenia Bradford, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Uhrig
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION
There were no public communications on Closed Session items.
5. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Uhrig recessed to Closed Session at 6:03 p.m.
a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Initiation of litigation pursuant to Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(4)
One potential Case
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Uhrig reconvened from Closed Session at 6:35 p.m.
6. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
City Attorney David Fleishman reported City Council met in Closed Session and there was no reportable action.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Uhrig adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR
MEETINGS
DocuSign Envelope ID: 21BD98C4-725C-49D3-9911-2989728DCADD Minutes 2022-06-13 CC Special Closed Session & Regular Meeting 2 6:30 PM OPEN SESSION – REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Uhrig called the regular meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Charlie Uhrig; Mayor pro tem Mark Infanti; Councilmembers Robert Clarke, Claudia Orona, Jim Thomas
Staff: City Manager Xenia Bradford, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Utilities Director Jose Acosta.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Uhrig
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, CEREMONIAL ITEMS
a. Juneteenth Proclamation
Mayor Uhrig presented a proclamation declaring June 19, 2022 as Juneteenth Day.
Denise El Amin received the proclamation and thanked the City for the acknowledgement. b. Pride Month Proclamation
Mayor Uhrig presented a proclamation in commemoration of June 2022 as Pride Month.
Golzar Meamar, on behalf of Santa Ynez Valley Pride, received the proclamation and thanked the City for its acknowledgement.
Mayor Uhrig invited public comments.
Harry Mullen read a statement from Matthew Cavalli, President, Santa Ynez Valley Pride, thanked the City and community members for the proclamation.
Chris Brown, Pastor, Bethania Lutheran Church, provided a short history of the City; spoke about being united in humanity and thanked the City for the proclamation.
Alice Gillaroo spoke about living in the area as a gay woman and thanked the City for the proclamation.
There were no other public comments.
c. Solvang Festival Theater Proclamation
Mayor Uhrig presented a proclamation declaring the week of July 10, 2022 as Solvang Festival Week.
Chris Nielsen thanked the City for the proclamation.
PRESENTATIONS – None
DocuSign Envelope ID: 21BD98C4-725C-49D3-9911-2989728DCADD Minutes 2022-06-13 CC Special Closed Session & Regular Meeting 3
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Vashti Wilson spoke about the upcoming Juneteenth celebration and asked that City Council consider Juneteenth for annual funding at $5,000.
Erica Jane Forest Santa Ynez Valley, People Helping People, invited Council and the public to the upcoming Polo Classic fundraiser and spoke about their day of service and their weekly food distribution.
Nancy Hunsicker (via Zoom), Santa Ynez Valley, People Helping People, spoke about the services provided by the organization and its accomplishments and asked for City Council’s continued support.
Kim Jensen, member of the Tourism Advisory Committee spoke about the City hiring a Marketing Director and asked that the TAC have input in the process.
A representative of the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program, spoke about the organization and requested continued funding assistance from the City of $5,000.
Denise El Amin spoke in support of the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program.
Vashti Wilson spoke about her education and experience in Marketing and urged City Council to reconsider the top three candidates for the Tourism Marketing Managed Services contract and have them do a second pitch.
There were no other public comments.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Bradford announced the upcoming State of the City event; discussed an upcoming workshop regarding the Plaza/Promenade Project; listed special events and presented details of the Advance Calendar.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Mayor pro tem Infanti recognized Dennis Beebe who proposed that the Boy Scouts help paint the monument sign near Nielsen’s; stated the Boy Scouts were unable to do so and reported Dennis Beebe and his daughter have committed to repaint the sign. Additionally, he reported watching a recent Planning Commission meeting where discussion occurred regarding parking in-lieu fees; asked that the item be placed on an upcoming City Council agenda and recommended that speakers speak directly into the microphones so that the public watching on YouTube or Zoom are able to hear, clearly.
Mayor Uhrig spoke about having pavers finished by Friday; commented favorably regarding the recent Concert in the Park; presented food bank statistics; reminded the public about current drought conditions; commended the Sheriff’s Department on its recent actions regarding possible threats to City schools and announced the opening the first carpool lane in Santa Barbara County.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented.
b. Approve the City Council meeting Minutes May 23, 2022. c. Adopt Resolution 22-1171, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Solvang, California Authorizing Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Solvang Meeting Bodies.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 21BD98C4-725C-49D3-9911-2989728DCADD Minutes 2022-06-13 CC Special Closed Session & Regular Meeting 4 d. Approve Warrants Register for May 2022
e. Approve a Contract with Tetra Tech, Inc for general engineering support services in the amount not to exceed $83,200 for the term July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023.
Mayor pro tem Infanti made corrections to the City Council meeting minutes of May 23, 2022.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti, approve the Consent Agenda with corrections to the minutes of May 23, 2022, seconded by Councilmember Thomas and carried 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER PROPOSITION 218 UTILITY RATES, CONSIDER WRITTEN
PROTESTS, DECLARING RESULTS OF MAJORITY PROTEST PROCEEDINGS AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 22-1172
Open the Public Hearing, receive Public Comments, declare results of majority protest proceeding, Close the Public Hearing, and adopt Resolution No 22-1172 Mayor Uhrig opened the public hearing.
City Manager Bradford introduced the item; discussed engagement of a consultant and deferred to Utilities Director Acosta for a report.
Utilities Director Acosta provided a brief background on the rate study and increases; introduced the consultant from HDR and deferred to him for a presentation.
Consultant Shawn Koorn, HDR, narrated a PowerPoint presentation with details of the utilities rate study.
City Manager Bradford reported receiving forty-one protests.
Discussion followed regarding availability of smart meters, average rate for a family of four, reserve requirements for each utility, details of Proposition 218, fixed costs for water and sewer, the tiered rate structure for single-family homes and commercial/industrial rates.
Frank Smithson expressed concerns regarding his bill; noted he has reduced his water usage and questioned reductions in his bill in light of meter fees and fixed costs.
Denise El Amin commented on the meter fees; referenced a settlement regarding meter fees; spoke in opposition to the proposed increases and suggested water usage rate should be higher for those who use the most water.
Jill Bullhorn asked about increases in subsequent years; noted her efforts in conserving water and spoke in opposition to the proposed rate increases.
Mayor Uhrig reported the fixed rate will go down starting in July but will increase next year; noted the need to purchase State water and stated the intent is to make it fair for everyone.
Councilmember Orona reported other towns base their rates on use, alone, and noted those municipalities have been sued because they do not meet with Proposition 218 as they base their rates, arbitrarily, they do not cover costs and the practice is unsustainable.
Elizabeth Orona commented on Solvang water rates compared with Buellton and Santa Ynez; spoke about local residents subsidizing for peaks of usage by non-local residents (i.e., hotel visitors) and expressed concerns about long-term plans for conserving water and meeting the City’s ultimate goals.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 21BD98C4-725C-49D3-9911-2989728DCADD Minutes 2022-06-13 CC Special Closed Session & Regular Meeting 5 Mayor pro tem Infanti spoke about the need to upgrade aged water storage tanks and funding the project with money collected through fixed meter charges.
Denise El Amin thought the City’s water infrastructure should be up to date, as the City has been collecting fixed meter charges.
There were no other public comments and Mayor Uhrig closed the public hearing.
Mayor Uhrig noted everyone is all in this, together; agreed the tier system will help offset costs for those who spend more and stated that everyone will pay their fair share.
Discussion followed regarding commercial and industrial uses and rates for water and sewer and conserving water not to reduce rates but rather because it is a precious and limited resource.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti, adopt Resolution No 22-1172, seconded by Councilmember Thomas and carried 5-0.
6. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER INTRODUCTION FOR FIRST READING BY TITLE ONLY ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 22-0357 TITLE 11 MODIFICATIONS REGARDING WALKUP
FOOD SERVICES WINDOWS
Open the Public Hearing, receive Public Comments, Close the Public Hearing, and Introduce Ordinance 22-0357 for the first hearing amending Title 11 to allow walk-up food service windows facing outdoor patios and seating areas on private property, but continue to prohibit other types of walk-up windows in the Tourist Related Commercial (TRC) Zone.
Mayor Uhrig opened the public hearing.
Councilmember Orona declared a conflict of interest, as she has a food service business in the City and left the Chamber at 8:33 p.m.
City Manager Bradford presented details of the report and discussed consideration by and recommendations of the Planning Commission.
City Attorney Fleishman presented information on the proposed ordinance; noted changes to the original ordinance and offered to respond to questions from Council.
Discussion followed regarding existing walk-up windows that were grandfathered at the time of the original ordinance. It was noted the food trucks will be addressed separately, by vehicle code.
City Manager Bradford reported the Planning Commission is considering food trucks and the item will appear before City Council in the near future.
Mayor Uhrig invited public comments.
There were no public comments and Mayor Uhrig closed the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke to introduce Ordinance 22-0357 for the first hearing amending Title 11 to allow walk-up food service windows facing outdoor patios and seating areas on private property but continue to prohibit other types of walk-up windows in the Tourist Related Commercial (TRC) Zone, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried 4-0, with Councilmember Orona, absent (recused).
RECESS/RECONVENE
DocuSign Envelope ID: 21BD98C4-725C-49D3-9911-2989728DCADD Minutes 2022-06-13 CC Special Closed Session & Regular Meeting 6 Mayor Uhrig called for a recess at 8:40 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:48 p.m., with all Councilmembers, present.
BUSINESS ITEMS
7. RECEIVE PRESENTATIONS FOR FY 2022-24 FINANCIAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT GRANT
FUNDING AND SPECIAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING REQUEST
Receive brief presentations from community organizations requesting special discretionary funding requests for FY 2022-24 Financial Plan development. These are presentations by organizations who were not able to present on May 23 during Preliminary Budget Hearing. No action will be taken tonight.
Council will vote on fund allocations for each request on June 27 during final Financial Plan budget adoption hearing
City Manager Bradford narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding the FY 2022-24 Financial Plan Development Grant funding process and special discretionary funding requests.
Interested parties were invited to address City Council on this item.
Nancy Purdham, Atterdag at Home, addressed their services to homebound seniors; discussed their volunteers and general services; talked about ongoing challenges and asked for $20,000 from the City to continue their valuable services.
Valerie A. Kissell, CEO, People Helping People, thanked the City for its past support; discussed their accomplishments and services; noted their primary focus is on emergency services and requested a grant of $12,500/year for the next two years for their emergency services.
Chris Nielsen, Solvang Festival Theater, thanked the City for its continued support; talked about increasing the events at the theater; spoke about their capital improvement campaign; asked for a grant of $100,000 in 2023 and 2024 to realize their full capability and commented on holding events earlier in spring and later in the fall.
Max Hanberg discussed the upcoming Danish Days events; requested a grant of $50,000 and thanked the City for its continued support.
There were no public comments on this item.
No action was required on this item.
8. APPROVE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VETERANS’ FOUNDATION PARADE & EVENT ON NOVEMBER, 12, 2022
Consider approval of a new annual special event “Salute to Veterans” proposed for November 12, 2022. The application was reviewed by Tourism Advisory Committee on June 2, 2022 and was recommended for approval unanimously.
City Manager Bradford provided brief report and addressed consideration by and recommendations from the TAC.
Henry Schulte, Santa Barbara County Veterans’ Foundation, provided a brief history of the organization; spoke about recognizing local veterans and discussed their plans for a parade and event to honor them on November 12, 2022.
There were no public comments on this item.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 21BD98C4-725C-49D3-9911-2989728DCADD Minutes 2022-06-13 CC Special Closed Session & Regular Meeting 7 Motion by Councilmember Clarke to approve a new annual special event “Salute to Veterans” proposed for November 12, 2022, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried 5-0.
9. GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 8, 2022
a. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1173 calling for the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 for the election of certain officers as required by the provisions of the laws of the State of California relating to Charter Law Cities. b. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1174 requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara to render specified services to the City relating to the conduct of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
c. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1175 requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County Santa Barbara to consolidate a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, with the Statewide General Election to be held on that date pursuant to Section § 10403 of the Elections Code.
d. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1176 adopting regulations for candidates for elective office pertaining to candidate statements submitted to the voters at an election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
e. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1177 providing for a procedure for determining by lot a tie among candidates at the November 8, 2022 consolidated General Municipal Election in accordance with Elections Code Section 15651
City Manager Bradford presented the staff report.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti to adopt Resolution No. 22-1173 calling for the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 for the election of certain officers as required by the provisions of the laws of the State of California relating to Charter Law Cities, adopt Resolution No. 22-1174 requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara to render specified services to the City relating to the conduct of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, adopt Resolution No. 22-1175 requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County Santa Barbara to consolidate a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, with the Statewide General Election to be held on that date pursuant to Section § 10403 of the Elections Code, adopt Resolution No. 22-1176 adopting regulations for candidates for elective office pertaining to candidate statements submitted to the voters at an election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 and adopt Resolution No. 22-1177 providing for a procedure for determining by lot a tie among candidates at the November 8, 2022 consolidated General Municipal Election in accordance with Elections Code Section 15651, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, and carried 5-0.
10. AWARD THE CITY OF SOLVANG TOURISM MARKETING MANAGED SERVICES CONTRACT TO ABBI AGENCY IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $600,000 FOR THE TWO- YEAR TERM JULY 1, 2022 – JUNE 30, 2024.
Authorize City Manager to negotiate and execute a two-year contract with Abbi Agency for Marketing Management Services not to exceed $600,000. Abbi Agency was selected by the Tourism Advisory Committee on June 2, 2022 as the top candidate out of eleven responses to the RFP.
City Manager Bradford presented details of the staff report.
Connie Anderson, Abbi Agency, discussed a history of the organization; addressed their experience DocuSign Envelope ID: 21BD98C4-725C-49D3-9911-2989728DCADD Minutes 2022-06-13 CC Special Closed Session & Regular Meeting 8 working with the City of Goleta; spoke about developing a plug-in for the City’s website to make it accessible to all and spoke about providing regular updates to the TAC or to City Council.
Discussion followed regarding the time of the Go Goleta campaign, having seven staff members support the City’s account, location of staff members, having timely accessibility, making the City appealing to younger visitors, and maintaining the City’s branding and reevaluating it in the future.
Mayor Uhrig invited public comments.
Denise El Amin spoke about the need to pick the right target audience and discussed the need to consider diversifying its marketing strategy.
Discussion followed regarding having the Abbi Agency collaborate with other entities such as Visit SYV, tracking analytics and attracting the right people to attract to Solvang.
There were no other public comments.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti to authorize City Manager to negotiate and execute a two-year contract with Abbi Agency for Marketing Management Services not to exceed $600,000. Abbi Agency was selected by Tourism Advisory Committee on June 2, 2022 as the top candidate out of eleven responses to the RFP, seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke to extend the meeting past 9:30 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Thomas, and carried 4-1, with Councilmember Clarke, opposed.
11. AWARD THE CITY OF SOLVANG VISITORS CENTER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH
SOLVANG HYGGE HUSET LLC (OR SOLE PROPRIETOR SUSAN LEE) IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $261,000 FOR THE TERM JULY 1, 2022 – JUNE 30, 2024 Authorize City Manager to negotiate and execute a two-year contract with Solvang Hygge Huset LLC (formation of the LLC is in processing with the State of California) not to exceed $261,000, and, due to pending formation of the LLC, authorize City Manager to enter into an agreement with Susan Lee and three other individuals currently working at the Visitor Center under IDK contract as sole proprietors if registration of the LLC is not complete by July 1, 2022 for a period not to exceed two months or August 31, 2022 and a total monthly expense of $10,300. Susan Lee’s proposal was selected by Tourism Advisory Committee as the top candidate out of two proposals to the RFP City Manager Bradford provided a brief report.
Susan Lee, Solvang Hygge Huset, LLC noted the organization is legal; and they are ready to continue serving the City.
Councilmember Clarke commented on the possibility of assigning City Ambassadors and training them accordingly.
Mayor Uhrig invited public comments.
Denise El Amin reiterated the need for diversity in hiring and awarding contracts.
There were no other public comments on this item.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti to authorize City Manager to negotiate and execute a two-year contract with Solvang Hygge Huset LLC (formation of the LLC is in processing with the State of California) not to exceed $261,000; or due to pending formation of the LLC, authorize City Manager to enter into an agreement with Susan Lee and three other individuals currently working at the Visitor Center under IDK DocuSign Envelope ID: 21BD98C4-725C-49D3-9911-2989728DCADD Minutes 2022-06-13 CC Special Closed Session & Regular Meeting 9 contract as contractors if registration of the LLC is not complete by July 1, 2022 for a period not to exceed two months or August 31, 2022 and a total monthly expense of $10,300, seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried 5-0.
6. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS - None
7. ADJOURNMENT- Mayor Uhrig adjourned the meeting at 10:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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