Minutes 2023-03-27 CC 1
March 27, 2023
Monday
Special Closed Session – 5:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting – 6:30 p.m.
5:30 PM CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Infanti called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang, California 93463.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Mark Infanti, Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona; Councilmembers David Brown, Robert Clarke and Claudia Orona (arrived at 5:41 p.m.)
Staff: Interim City Manager Bradley Vidro, City Clerk Annamarie Porter
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council member Brown led in the Salute to the Flag.
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION
Denise El Amin spoke regarding the City Manager position.
There were no other public comments on this item.
2. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – 5:30 p.m.
a. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT - pursuant to Gov. Code §54957(b)(1) Title:
City Manager
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – 5:34 p.m.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
It was noted that City Council met in Closed Session and there was no reportable action.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:34 p.m.
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETINGS
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6:30 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Infanti 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 Mark Infanti; Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, Councilmembers David Brown, Robert Clarke and Claudia Orona
Staff: Interim City Manager Bradley Vidro, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Public Works Director Rodger Olds, Utilities Director Jose Acosta, Administrative Services Director Wendy Berry, Planning Manager Sophia Checa
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS - None PRESENTATIONS - None
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Denise El Amin spoke about transparency.
Supporting Pride: Laura Ishikawa, Kiel Cavalli, President, Rainbow House Inc, Liz Marks, Harry Mullin, Sandie Mullin, Ava Talley & Jules Bianco, Vera Sieck, Meighan Oritinhoper, Amy Rioux, Alisa Bondurant, Kristin Flickinger.
Tony Trad, Owner, Tony’s Smoke Shop, outdoor smoking in the TRC.
Vashti Wilson, spoke about fiscal responsibility.
There were no other public comments.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
Interim City Manager Vidro spoke about increases in State water allocations and addressed items to be included in the next City Council agenda.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Councilmember Claudia Orona spoke about the need to have clear directions in terms of the City’s goals for tourism and marketing.
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona expressed concerns that the subject will not be considered by Council until the end of April and commented on the urgency of the situation and unresolved items including an invoice audit.
Councilmember Clarke noted that the City currently has no ad agency, no marketing manager and a TAC; suggested doing a complete reset, suspending the TAC, indefinitely, until pending issues can be resolved, including hiring a Marketing Manager; discussed the matter of honoring Pride month and felt that Solvang does not need banners or sidewalks painted for an entire month.
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Councilmember Brown requested adding a discussion of the TAC, the possibility of suspending it until there is an established plan and a Marketing Manager to the next City Council agenda and there was City Council consensus to do so.
Mayor Infanti stated he was advised by horse handlers that having a rainbow-painted crosswalk would be dangerous for horses, as they do not see colors the way we do and can be a safety issue.
Councilmember Claudia Orona requested adding a discussion regarding the possibility of having a smoking lounge in the City and there was City Council consensus to do so.
4. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented.
b. Approve City Council Minutes:
February 27, 2023, March 6, 2023, March 13, 2023, March 17, 2023, March 21, 2023 c. Receive and file Sheriff’s February Report
d. Accept as complete PW 148 Second Street Drainage and Parking Lot 5 Improvement, authorize final payment to V. Lopez & Sons, and authorize the City Clerk to record the Notice of Completion e. Introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 23-0364, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Solvang, California Amending Section 1-11-2 of Chapter 11 (Conflict of Interest), Title 1 (administration) and adding a new Chapter 6 (Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee) to Title 2 (Boards and Commissions) thereby codifying the Measure U Citizens’ oversight committee established by Resolution No. 23-1207 pursuant to Ordinance No. 22-0363, a Transaction and Use Tax Ordinance
f. Adopt Resolution No. 23-1210 Approving & Adopting the Title VI Program Update for the Santa Ynez Valley Transit System
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Denis El Amin spoke about the process for public comments and the oversight committee.
There were no other public comments.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke, to approve Consent Items, as presented, seconded by Councilmember Claudia Orona, and carried 5-0.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Public Hearing to consider Introduction for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 23-0365 amending Chapter 7 (Pedicycle Rentals) of Title 4 (Business Regulations) of the Solvang Municipal Code regarding pedicycle permits and making a determination of exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act
Planning Manager Checa presented details of the report and noted the proposed process will make it less burdensome for City staff and business owners.
Mayor Infanti opened the public hearing.
There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Infanti closed the public hearing.
Discussion followed regarding the new process, going forward, the amount of liability coverage and fees.
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Motion by Councilmember Brown, to introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 23-0365 amending Chapter 7 (Pedicycle Rentals) of Title 4 (Business Regulations) of the Solvang Municipal Code regarding pedicycle permits and making a determination of exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act, seconded by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, and carried 5-0.
6. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Discussion and possible action to receive Water Drought Policy Ad Hoc Committee Report and to provide direction to Staff
Utilities Director Acosta provided details of the report; addressed consideration by and recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee; discussed enhancement of the City’s conservation program and outreach and availability of a usage calculator.
Discussion followed regarding current trends in water consumption, replenishment of groundwater levels, encouraging ADUs and focusing on incentives instead of penalties.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Denise El Amin thanked the City for their efforts.
Frank Smithson was grateful for Mike Matthew’s help.
There were no other public comments.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, to receive the Water Drought Policy Ad Hoc Committee Report, direct Staff to return with a resolution placing the City back into Stage 1 of the drought policy, to work on modification of the ordinance and return to City Council with language for an ordinance at a future date for consideration and adoption, seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried 5-0. b. Discussion and possible action to Adopt Resolution No. 23-1211 Adopting the SYVT ZeroEmission Vehicle Transition Plan Public Works Director Olds introduced the item and deferred to City Consultants for a presentation.
Consultant Chambers, Moore and Associates, narrated a PowerPoint presentation with details of the SYVT Zero-Emission Vehicle Transition Plan.
Discussion followed regarding calls for more service, the point-of-pay application for non-cash transactions, promoting Google Transit, availability of funding, ridership, the small sample size, questions that appear to conflict with each other within the survey, micro transit (on-demand service), indicators supporting enhancements and other changes to the service will increase ridership, marketing and outreach.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Jim Moore addressed the survey sample size.
There were no other public comments.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, to adopt Resolution No. 23-1211 Adopting the SYVT ZeroEmission Vehicle Transition Plan, seconded by Councilmember Claudia Orona, and carried 4-1, with Councilmember Clarke, opposed.
c. Discussion and possible action to Adopt Resolution No. 23-1209 Approving the Annual Investment Policy for the Fiscal Year 2022/23
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Administrative Services Director Berry presented details of the report.
Discussion followed regarding tracking CD rates, implementing monthly reporting of performance and diversifying the portfolio.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Denise El Amin spoke about keeping money in the City.
There were no other public comments.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, to adopt Resolution No. 23-1209 Approving the Annual Investment Policy for the Fiscal Year 2022/23, seconded by Mayor Infanti, and carried 5-0.
7. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona reported attending the recent SBCAG meeting and the Management GSA meeting.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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