Minutes 2022-09-12 CC Regular 1
September 12, 2022
Tuesday
6:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Uhrig called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang, California.
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, Public Works Director Roger Olds
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Councilmember Orona led in the Salute to the Flag.
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS - None PRESENTATIONS - None
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON- AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Janice Matthews withdrew her candidacy for District 3 City Council and expressed her endorsement of Dave Brown for the position.
Bob Bot spoke about cutting back on water usage to comply with the new drought measures; questioned the feasibility of approving any new development in the City until the water shortage is resolved; suggested the City declare a moratorium on new developments and urged City Council to consider such an action.
Michael Baker, CEO, Boys and Girls Club, thanked the City for its support; spoke about the growing program; noted they are working on trying to get more space and encouraged City Council to visit.
There were no other public comments.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Bradford addressed upcoming special events; discussed Julefest programs; spoke about the Tourism Advisory Committee; announced the upcoming General Municipal Elections and provided details of the Advance Calendar.
Discussion followed regarding the Tourism Advisory Subcommittee and the Contract Subcommittee.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
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Mayor pro tem Infanti requested Council approval to add the following to City Council’s next agenda:
consideration of a construction moratorium until the water drought is resolved and consideration of penalties for not meeting water cut backs according to types of businesses and usage.
Regarding the latter, Councilmember Thomas suggested not discussing it at a City Council meeting, but rather a townhall meeting at the Veterans Hall.
Mayor Uhrig suggested placing the item on City Council’s agenda for the first meeting in October.
Mayor pro tem Infanti spoke about the possibility of creating a YouTube video explaining how the water cutbacks are working as well as the related penalties.
City Council concurred with Mayor pro tem Infanti’s request.
Councilmember Clarke spoke about a moratorium on new construction; reported on moratoriums within the City of Santa Barbara and a related study of where major water usage was occurring; discussed the possibility of holding one-day events on Sundays versus Saturdays; commented on rampant understaffing in businesses, noting it is time to stop giving food away and entice people to go back to work; talked about hotel taxes charged by other cities, adding that he would like the matter placed on a future agenda and mentioned suggestions from Michael Mendizza to lighten up and beautify the corridor at the end of Alisal and stated he would like for him to make a presentation to City Council.
Mayor pro tem Infanti reported receiving a letter that citizens cannot post their votes at polling places and that the upcoming election is mail-in only.
City Manager Bradford reported the City did not receive such notice and will check with the County and State.
Mayor Uhrig announced the 30th anniversary of People Helping People; commented on the need for volunteers for Danish Days; reported on the upcoming Homecoming for the high school football team; addressed the upcoming book sale at the Library, the Solvang School Arts and Music Foundation fundraiser, new exhibits at the Wilding Museum and a Western Flair Ball hosted by Solvang Veterans and an upcoming Vikings blood drive.
4. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve order of Agenda
b. Approve City Council Minutes of August 22, 2022
c. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1191 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 August 2022 e. Adopt Resolution No 22-1192 modifying Exhibit A – Stage 2 Drought Regulations f. Approve Budget Amendment to fund the Santa Ynez Valley Transit (SYVT) 5-Year Transit Development Plan for the Amount of $41,650
g. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1193 amending Set Pay Ranges and Benefits for Unrepresented Employees Effective August 1, 2022
Councilmember Orona pulled Item No. f for separate discussion and asked for clarification of the budget amendment request.
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City Manager Bradford reported the $41,650 is an additional request separate from what was already approved and stated it is for a Transit Management Plan and when the budget was considered that amount was not included.
Public Works Director Olds explained this is for a study, conducted every five years and because of an oversight, was not carried over to this fiscal year in the budget. He added that it is not a General Fund expenditure and will be drawn from reserves.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke, to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, seconded by Mayor pro tem Infanti, and carried 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
BUSINESS ITEMS
5. APPROVE HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION Approve Hispanic Heritage Celebration special event application City Manager Bradford introduced the item and deferred to applicant Adrianna Reyes, People Helping People for a report.
Applicant Reyes, provided details of the upcoming event and noted music will end at 8:00 p.m.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Councilmember Orona, to approve Hispanic Heritage Celebration special event application, seconded by Mayor Uhrig, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
6. APPOINT ONE COMMITTEE MEMBER TO FILL VACANCIES ON THE TOURISM
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
City Manager Bradford presented a brief report.
There were no public comments on this item.
Councilmember Clarke appointed Christina Chacho to the Tourism Advisory Committee.
7. DOWNTOWN PLAZA SURVEY RESULTS
Receive a report on Downtown Plaza Concept Survey Results City Manager Bradford presented details of the report; addressed status of the General Plan update; commented on the downtown plaza being potentially included as a Community Design Element; discussed a recent workshop and results of a concept survey; announced the preferred option and sample comments and noted this is an informational item with no action required at this time.
Discussion followed regarding cost estimates for the various options, development of the options and the need to consider parking impacts.
Sheila Benedict, via Zoom, spoke about visiting many countries in Europe that have plaza concepts and noted they do not rely on parking as many people walk, ride public transportation or ride their bikes.
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There were no other public comments on this item.
8. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Councilmember Clarke reported attending the League of California Cities annual conference; spoke about the subject of the various sessions and discussed the session relative to fixing Prop 47.
Mayor pro tem Infanti commented on attending the League of California Cities annual conference; noted attending the session regarding Public Safety and regarding taxes and discussed working with other cities to help each other.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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