Minutes 2022-10-10 CC 1
October 10, 2022
Monday
6:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Uhrig called the meeting to order at 6:43 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 and Jim Thomas
Staff: Public Works Director Rodger Olds, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Utilities Director Jose Acosta
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Councilmember Thomas led in the Salute to the Flag.
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS
On behalf of City Council, Mayor Uhrig presented a proclamation acknowledging October 30th through November 5th as Childhood Cancer Awareness Week.
Dr. Amy Firestein, Kids Cancer Connection, via Zoom, accepted the proclamation and thanked the City and Council for its support.
On behalf of City Council, Mayor Uhrig presented a proclamation in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Francisca Escobar, Hilda Navarro, Ada Degollado, Azhitry Guerrero, People Helping People, thanked the City and Council for its continued support.
PRESENTATIONS
a. Receive Quarterly Projects Update
Public Works Director Rodger Olds narrated a PowerPoint presentation with an update on the City’s Capital Improvement Program and highlighted projects that are in design, near construction and in construction.
Discussion followed regarding the status of installing electronic vehicle charging stations and trees at Solvang Park that are impacting the sidewalks.
Utilities Director Jose Acosta narrated a PowerPoint presentation with an update on the status of utility projects.
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
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Discussion followed regarding the possibility of purchasing used excavators, the number of wells in HCA, the start of the wastewater treatment project and expansion of broadband.
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON- AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Michael Miller referenced a document he submitted to the City Clerk; spoke about law enforcement contact issues and alleged corruption.
David Brown announced a Candidate Forum for Districts 3 and 4 on October 12, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at Bethania Lutheran Parish Hall.
Denise El Amin spoke about a recent debate at the Veterans Hall for the School Board; noted it was promoted by one person, with no name; urged the City to use care when scheduling debates and forums.
Elizabeth Orona announced she is a candidate for City Council, District 4; urged the public to attend and requested placing water rate usage penalties on the agenda for consideration at its October 24, 2022, meeting.
There were no other public comments.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Attorney Fleishman reported the topic is scheduled for the November 14, 2022 but suggested postponing consideration of the parking in-lieu ordinance amendment currently scheduled for October 24th and scheduling consideration of water rates in its place.
Discussion followed regarding consideration of a construction moratorium.
City Council concurred to schedule a discussion on water rates for the October 24th City Council meeting.
Mayor Uhrig noted that City Council has nothing to do with past or upcoming candidate forums.
Councilmember Clarke announced the League of Women Voters is hosting the upcoming Candidate Forum.
Jack Williams noted the sponsor for the upcoming Candidate Forum is We Watch, and the League of Women Voters is running it.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Mayor pro tem Infanti announced a prescribed burn by the Air Pollution Control District.
Councilmember Orona requested a review of the City’s short-term rental ordinance, after the upcoming election, and expressed concerns regarding housing shortages.
Mayor Uhrig commented on the upcoming Candidate Forum; announced an upcoming Open House by the Solvang Chamber of Commerce and addressed food bank statistics.
Councilmember Clarke commented on recent and upcoming fundraisers and commended residents for helping each other.
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Mayor Uhrig introduced new Police Chief Mark Valencia.
Police Chief Valencia spoke about his experience; noted he is a resident of Solvang and offered to respond to questions.
4. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve order of Agenda
b. Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of September 19, 2022 Special Closed Session, September 26, 2022 Special Closed Session, and September 26, 2022 Regular Meeting, October 5, 2022 Special Closed Session
c. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1194 authorizing remote teleconference meetings of the City of Solvang meeting bodies
d. Approve September Warrants
e. Receive and File Santa Barbara County Fire Department FY 22-23 Quarter 1 Report There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti, to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
BUSINESS ITEMS
5. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 22-1195 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA APPROVING AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH BRADLEY VIDRO TO SERVE AS INTERIM CITY MANAGER; and ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 22-1196 A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA
AUTHORIZING SIGNATORIES TO CITY BANK ACCOUNTS WITH MONTECITO BANK & TRUST
City Attorney Fleishman provided a brief report; noted the City Manager resigned as of the end of September; discussed Bradley Vidro’s experience and addressed the provisions of the employment agreement for Mr. Vidro to serve as Interim City Manager until the position is filled.
Brief discussion followed regarding tracking the City Manager’s hours.
Mayor Uhrig opened public comments.
Hans Duus and Mary Ellen Rio spoke about Mr. Vidro’s experience; welcomed him back to the City and gifted him a jar of red vine candies.
Dennis Beebe spoke about signatories to the City bank accounts.
John Padfield, via Zoom, spoke in support of Brad Vidro being hired as Interim City Manager.
Diana Richardson commented favorably on Mr. Vidro returning to the City.
There were no other public comments.
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Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 22-1195 A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA APPROVING AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH BRADLEY VIDRO TO SERVE AS INTERIM CITY MANAGER; and ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 22-1196 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOLVANG,
CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING SIGNATORIES TO CITY BANK ACCOUNTS WITH MONTECITO BANK & TRUST, seconded by Councilmember Orona, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
6. RECEIVE BROADBAND UPDATE REPORT FROM SBCAG STAFF
Mike Becker, Director of Planning, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Santa Barbara County Broadband Strategic Plan Project.
Maria Kelly discussed the details of the proposed project.
Discussion followed regarding management of the project, connectivity gaps, installation of fiber, community Wi-Fi, the speed-testing link on www.SBCAG.org and organizing a JPA around broadband.
Mayor Uhrig invited public comments on this item.
Wendy Berry suggested placing the broadband survey on the City website.
There were no other public comments.
7. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Mayor pro tem Infanti reported attending the recent Mayors Gala.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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