M 2022-08-08 CC Special Closed & Regular 1
July 25, 2022
Monday
Closed & Regular Meetings
6:00 PM CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Uhrig called the meeting to order at 6:02 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
Mayor pro tem Infanti led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION
There were no public comments on Closed Session Items.
5. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – 6:04 p.m.
a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR – The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section §54957.6
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Xenia Bradford, City Manager
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION:
Teamsters Union Local 986
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – 6:30 p.m.
6. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
City Attorney David Fleishman announced there was no reportable action.
7. ADJOURNMENT – 6:30 p.m.
6:30 PM OPEN SESSION – REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Uhrig called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
DocuSign Envelope ID: A3E81917-E51D-4549-B2BC-E057408EC602 M 2022-08-08 CC Special Closed & Regular 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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Orona
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS
a. Years of Service Award
City Manager Bradford presented Nick Rivera with a 10-year service award and announced he will be moving on to another city.
b. Employee of the Quarter Award
City Manager Bradford presented Sofia Checa with the Employee of the Quarter award.
PRESENTATIONS - None
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Nick Rivera thanked Council once again for the award; referenced current labor negotiations and hoped Council will consider what is being proposed noting that times are hard, and it is very expensive to live in Solvang.
There were no other public comments and Mayor Uhrig closed the public communications portion of the meeting.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Bradford narrated a PowerPoint presentation with updates including the State of the City and the survey regarding the Downtown European Plaza; discussed upcoming special events and addressed the Advance Calendar.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Mayor pro tem Infanti spoke about the latest water bill and asked for an explanation of several elements.
City Manager Bradford reported the new rates will begin as of the August billing cycle; addressed the meaning of “CCF” vs. “HCF”, reported the benchmark year was established by resolution and is calendar year 2019/2020 and noted staff is working on FAQs to help residents understand the billing document.
Mayor pro tem Infanti and Councilmember Clarke stated that the document is confusing, and many terms are undefined, and further suggested cleaning up the document and placing the topic on City Council’s next meeting agenda and there was consensus to do so.
City Manager Bradford stated that the item was already on the Advance Calendar for the next meeting.
DocuSign Envelope ID: A3E81917-E51D-4549-B2BC-E057408EC602 M 2022-08-08 CC Special Closed & Regular 3
Mayor Uhrig announced Music in the Park, a preview of the new Solvang Theaterfest, a Hidden Wings event at the Veterans Hall, the second annual Summer Family Day at the Wildling Museum and discussed Food Back operations.
4. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented.
b. Approve City Council Minutes of the Closed Session Meeting of July 19, 2022 and the Regular Meeting of July 25, 2022
This item was tabled to the next regular meeting of the Solvang City Council. c. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1188 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Solvang, California Authorizing Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Solvang Meeting Bodies d. Approve Warrant Register for the Month of July 2022
e. Receive and file Visit SYV 1st Quarter report 2022
f. Approve revised amendment 3 to the agreement with Zworld LLC for annual geographic information systems (GIS) services for the additional amount not to exceed $37,500 for the additional scope of services to extend the term to June 30, 2023 and authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City
g. Adopt Resolution No 22-1189 Extension of deadline to submit arguments for and against Solvang Local Control and Essential Services Measure
Motion by Councilmember Clarke, to approve Consent except for Item 4b, which was tabled to the next City Council meeting, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
BUSINESS ITEMS
5. PRESENTATION FROM THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FIRE CHIEF ON FIRE SERVICES
AND INTENT TO UPGRADE CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING UPGRADES TO
SOLVANG FIRE STATION
Receive a presentation from the Santa Barbara County Fire District Chief on fire services and intent to upgrade the Solvang Fire Station
Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig made a presentation regarding fire services and the intent to upgrade the Solvang Fire Station.
Discussion followed regarding the move to a regional EMS and dispatch fire center, going out to bid on ambulance services, companies filing an intent to bid, plans for a stand-alone building in town and available buildings within the City.
City Manager Bradford spoke about continuing to invest in Parking Lot 5.
Mayor Uhrig opened public comments.
There were no public comments on this item.
6. POLL OPTIONS TO RECEIVE PUBLIC INPUT REGARDING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WITH
THE CITY SERVICES
DocuSign Envelope ID: A3E81917-E51D-4549-B2BC-E057408EC602 M 2022-08-08 CC Special Closed & Regular 4
Receive a report on poll options to receive input regarding customer satisfaction with the City services City Manager Bradford narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding poll options to receive input regarding customer satisfaction with City services.
Councilmember Thomas stated he will not support spending money on this item, noting that is what elections are for.
Councilmember Orona agreed with Councilmember Thomas.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Councilmember Thomas, to recommend no further action on this item, seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried 5-0.
7. GRANT FUNDING POLICY MODIFICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 Per Council general direction, receive and approve an updated Grant Funding policy to be applied to Fiscal Year 2023-24 Supplemental Budget development process.
City Manager Bradford presented details of the staff report; discussion the addition of veterans and minors with disabilities to the grant priority list and addressed options for City Council to consider.
Mayor pro tem Infanti suggested changing the policy from “community” residents to “Solvang” residents and maintaining “minors with disabilities”.
Councilmember Clarke stated he would rather see a line item in the budget for Danish Days, Fourth of July and Seniors; noted the Senior Centers serves Buellton residents and vice versa and suggested eliminating all grant funding, but rather have the three or four priorities in the Annual Budget so that it is clear to the residents where the City of Solvang prioritizes their tax dollars.
Councilmember Thomas noted seniors and young people with disabilities have needs and reported individual requests will be presented to Council for consideration and will depend on the financial situation of the City, at the time.
Councilmember Orona felt having one streamlined process would be better than having residents ask for funding at every Council meeting and believed specific programs should be available to give back to the community, considering that approximately 50% of the City’s revenue comes from TOT.
Mayor Uhrig noted that many cities place a dollar limit on the amount of funds that can be requested.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Councilmember Thomas, to adopt the updated Grant Funding policy to be applied to Fiscal Year 2023-24 Supplemental Budget development process, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried 4-1, with Councilmember Clarke, opposed.
8. DESIGNATE VOTING DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES TO THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO – SEPTEMBER 7-9, 2022
Designate voting delegates and alternates to the League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo – September 7-9, 2022
City Manager Bradford presented details of the report.
Motion by Councilmember Thomas, to designate Mayor pro tem Infanti as the voting delegate for the upcoming League of California Cities Conference and Expo and Councilmember Clarke as the alternate, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried 4-1, with Mayor Uhrig, opposed.
DocuSign Envelope ID: A3E81917-E51D-4549-B2BC-E057408EC602 M 2022-08-08 CC Special Closed & Regular 5
9. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS - None
10. ADJOURNMENT- Mayor Uhrig adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: A3E81917-E51D-4549-B2BC-E057408EC602