Minutes 2022-11-14 CC 1
November 14, 2022
Monday
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 and Jim Thomas
Staff: Interim City Manager Brad Vidro, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Clarke led in the Salute to the Flag.
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS
a. Employee of the Quarter presentation
Interim City Manager Vidro presented the Employee of the Quarter award to Recreation Coordinator Candice Libera.
Recreation Coordinator Libera thanked her Supervisor, Jenny McClurg for nominating her; noted she loves her job and stated it is an honor to serve the community. b. Family Court Awareness Month Proclamation
Mayor Uhrig presented a proclamation declaring November 2022 as Family Court Awareness Month.
Tracey Mueller-Gibbs, via Zoom, Family Court, received the proclamation; spoke about domestic violence and child abuse; announced upcoming programs to educate the public on the subject and thanked the City for its support.
PRESENTATIONS - None
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON- AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Allan Jones thanked Councilmembers for their service; welcomed new Councilmembers; congratulated the City on the sales tax increase; noted the ballot listed it as a “1 cent” increase where in fact it is a 1% increase; felt the arguments for the increase were deceptive and there was no argument against it; stated it was not disclosed to voters as good as it should have been; suggested City Council hold off on implementing the increase and return at the next election with full disclosure.
Rene Kaerskov referenced Item No 4.d., specifically $250,000 labeled as a final payment to
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
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Xenia Bradford; questioned the amount in light of the fact that she resigned; spoke about costs to the City to recruit and hire a new City Manager; opined that Council owes the public an explanation for spending so much, getting rid of a competent woman and urged the City to be transparent on the matter.
Ted Hansen spoke about the City’s efforts in water conservation; stated the ordinance passed in July has negatively affected his family; reported he had to pay $465 in the last two months for penalties, alone; noted the way the increase was calculated does not account for larger households, fairly and urged City Council to find a solution that does not harm families.
C.J. Jackson requested placing on the next agenda, a report from staff that documents the history and major implications of water decisions that have come to a confluence in the decision faced by Council; spoke about the importance of Council and successors having a common institutional memory of what is occurring and suggested a very public outreach to the community and an ask for help and have a positive reinforcement approach.
Frank Smithson referenced Measure U; wondered how voters can have it removed and who will be choosing members of the Citizen Oversight Committee.
There were no other public comments.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
Interim City Manager Vidro spoke about the Halloween events including the Haunted House; thanked volunteers at the event; announced the City will launch a new website on Friday, November 18, 2022; and introduced new Administrative Services Director Wendy Berry.
Administrative Services Director Berry noted she is ready to jump into her new job and reported the City has great staff working for it.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Mayor pro tem Infanti reported the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District will be conducting a regulated burn at Sedgwick Reserve.
Councilmember Orona agreed with Mr. Jackson’s comments in terms of the City falling short in terms of communication and collaboration with residents; spoke about informing the public about how to conserve water and requested an update on how Code Enforcement is dealing with signage in the downtown area.
Councilmember Clarke reported an article that stated the entire Council supported the tax increase, which is untrue; stated he supported the public voting on it but did not support Measure U; agreed with Mr. Jackson’s comments regarding the water issue and noted most of his neighbors are confident that water rates will be reduced, shortly.
Councilmember Thomas expressed concerns that the Veterans Day Parade was in Santa Ynez and not in Solvang and stated he would like to see the next City Council do whatever it takes to bring the parade back to Solvang.
Mayor Uhrig reported attending the County Subregional Planning Commission meeting and addressed issues discussed; commented on the recent reception for the Grand-Reopening of the Elverhøj Museum; discussed the Veterans Day recognition and ceremony at the Veterans Hall; clarified the issue of the Veterans Day Parade in Santa Ynez; hoped it will be held in Solvang, next year and noted his attendance at a recent concert at St. Mark’s Church. Additionally, Mayor Uhrig announced upcoming events such as the Solvang Chamber of Commerce Business Community Celebration; noted the Chamber was part of the Annual Scarecrow Fest winners; listed winning organizations; thanked the DocuSign Envelope ID: 4C0FEE53-369A-4F2F-90D7-3A995DD8D353 Minutes 2022-11-14 CC 3
community and volunteers helping with the Haunted House and discussed the Bethania Food Distribution program, Turkey Bingo at Veterans Hall, the Annual Solvang Parks and Recreation Turkey Trot 5K Run, food bank statistics and commented on the importance of voting and staying engaged.
4. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented.
b. Approve City Council Minutes of October 24, 2022
c. Adopt Resolution No. 22-1199 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Solvang, California authorizing Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Solvang Meeting Bodies d. Approve October 2022 Warrants
e. Approve Quarterly Investment Report for April – June 2022 f. Approve Cancellation of the City Council Regular Meeting of December 26, 2022 g. Approve the City Council 2023 Calendar of Meetings
h. Approve the purchase of a Mini Excavator from Berchtold Equipment Company in the amount of $89,621.76, and authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City i. Approve the agreement with Full Moon Audio Co, a California Corporation for the production of the 2022 Julefest event in the amount not to exceed $50,389.20 for the daily light and music show for the term November 15, 2022 – January 12, 2023; and authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City.
j. Adopt Ordinance No. 22-0361 an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Solvang, California, Revising Title 1, Chapter 11, Conflict of Interest Code Biannual Review of City of Solvang Conflict of Interest Code for second reading and adoption. (PULLED FROM THE AGENDA.) k. Approve Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement with Mintier Harnish LP to include the additional scope of services for the Proposed General Plan Amendment and Zone Change Mission Drive Mixed-Use project 1783 & 1793 Mission Drive and 533 Pine Street into the overall General Plan Update
l. Approve the Agreement with Hamner Jewell and Associates for government real estate services to pursue the acquisition of 410 Second Street in the amount not to exceed $20,000 for the term November 14, 2022 – December 31, 2023; and authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the city.
Mayor Uhrig announced that Item No. 4.j. will be pulled from this agenda.
City Attorney Fleishman explained when Ordinance No. 22-0361 was introduced, there was no Administrative Services Director position and now, the position will need to be added to the conflict-ofinterest code. Therefore, the ordinance will need to be revised and will return before City Council for another first reading at the next City Council meeting.
Councilmember Clarke commented on Item No. 4.h.; noted he researched used excavators for much less money and hoped that, in the future, the City will be more creative in looking at ways to save money.
Councilmember Orona referenced Item No. 4.i. and asked about the availability of a rendering or description of what the show will look like.
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Marketing Manager Cheryl Shallanberger reported there are no renderings and explained the vendor will add technology to existing lights and activate them for movement with music.
In response to Councilmember Orona question regarding Item No. 4.l., Public Works Director Olds explained the item is to hire a government real estate professional to assist the City in purchasing 410 Second Street for the offices of Santa Ynez Valley Transit.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke, to approve the Consent Agenda, as amended to pull Item No. 4.j., seconded by Councilmember Thomas, and carried with a roll call vote of 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
BUSINESS ITEMS
5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SOLVANG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TOURISM MARKETING CONTRACT PROPOSAL
Councilmember Orona recused herself from the item as she is a Member of the Chamber of Commerce, and they hire her business for Trolley Services and left the Chamber.
Marketing Manager Shallanberger presented details of the report.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti, to approve the Solvang Chamber of Commerce Tourism Marketing Contract Proposal, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, and carried with a roll call vote of 4-0, with Councilmember Orona, recused.
Councilmember Orona returned to the meeting and took her place on the dais.
6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT WITH RALPH
ANDERSEN & ASSOCIATES INC FOR CITY MANAGER RECRUITMENT SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $27,500 FOR THE TERM NOVEMBER 14, 2022 – APRIL 30, 2023; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY; AND TO APPROVE A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,500 FROM THE GENERAL
FUND TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FUND
Interim City Manager Vidro presented details of the report, and noted that Ralph Andersen & Associates Inc. was recommended by the League of California Cities representative.
There were no public comments on this item.
Councilmember Clarke commented on the importance of the City doing its homework to vet candidates and bring in the right person and urged the new Council not to settle.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Infanti, to APPROVE THE AGREEMENT WITH RALPH ANDERSEN &
ASSOCIATES INC FOR CITY MANAGER RECRUITMENT SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $27,500 FOR THE TERM NOVEMBER 14, 2022 – APRIL 30, 2023; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY; AND TO APPROVE A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,500 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FUND, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, and carried 5-0.
7. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Councilmember Clarke the Library Advisory Committee will begin meeting in person, next month.
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Mayor pro tem Infanti reported meeting with the Historical Association holding the lease on Lot 72.
Mayor Uhrig reported he will be attending the upcoming SBCAG meeting.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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