Minutes 2023-04-24 CC 1
April 24, 2023
Monday
Regular Meeting – 6:30 p.m.
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, Assistant City Attorney Craig Steele, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Administrative Services Director Wendy Berry, Supervisor Jenny McClurg
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Brown led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS - None
PRESENTATIONS
a. Central Coast Community Energy Annual Presentation
Jeff Railsback, Central Coast Community Energy, narrated a PowerPoint presentation with details of the Central Coast Community Energy Annual report.
Councilmember Clarke mentioned previous promises by CCCE of rates decreasing and having 100% renewable energy by 2030 and asked about the sources of renewable energy.
Presenter Railsback noted their goal is to be competitive and believed CCCE will keep its promises.
Discussion followed regarding the possibility of expediting/accelerating the process of obtaining renewable energy, issues related to infrastructure and the location of current and for future storage facilities.
Tracy Beard, Chamber of Commerce, will set up a community workshop
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Mayor Infanti reviewed the process for taking public communications and noted everyone will have two minutes to speak. Additionally, he requested changing the agenda; reported Item No. 6.a will be heard immediately after this item and stated City Council will then return to follow the rest of the agenda, as presented.
Mayor Infanti opened Public Communications.
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
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Denise El Amin - WWTP Water Quality Project.
Dr. Cynthia Matthews – residents as ambassadors to the City.
Caroline Abate -civility and respectfulness.
Joanne Clark - fiscal responsibility.
Kerry McKiennen - compromise is the art of government.
Maria Bell - intolerance in the City.
Denise Adams - Santa Barbara County Sheriffs not providing protective services.
There were no other public comments.
City Council considered Item No. 6a at this time.
6.a. Discussion and possible action regarding the Rainbow House Inc. Streetlight banner application
Administrative Services Director Berry presented details of the staff report.
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona noted this is the second time Council will be voting on this matter; reported that Council agreed (4-1) to bring back the item as only a banner application and pointed out it is governed by Banner Program Guidelines.
Mayor Infanti opened public comments on this item.
Those opposed:
Jessie Bengoa, Renee Condit, Robyn Clay, Damien Kriteman, Joanne Clark, Jim Worthen, Bobbi McGinnis, Sabine Ovesen, Kevin Serritsleu, Pete Thomsen, Greg H., Jerry Rounds, Jason Dewett, Nelda Martin, Hank Homburg, David Watts, Moira Gill, Rich Saferite.
Via Zoom: Dale Murnane, Colleen Estrada
Those in favor:
Kyle Cavalli, Christine Klukkert, Lee Rosenberg, Jill Goldworn, Meighan Dietenhofer, Alisa Bondurant, Aaron Crocker, Brittany Allen, Dr. Cynthia Matthews, Mary Beth Lee, Laura Ishikawa, Michelle LaMarche, Steve Cox, Maria Bell, Steve Bron, Erica Valdes, Elizabeth Walther, Jack Williams, Jeff Paaske, Joy Culley, Chris Bawyer, Laura Shires, Aria Vue Daugherty, Dennis Bales, Rebecca August, Via Zoom: Toni Bianco, Lydia, Arcelia Sencion, Ava Tally, Zachary Del Rio, Sheila Benedict, Mark Alvarez, Jules Bianco, Jake H., Vashti Wilson.
There were no other public comments.
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona spoke about Council trying its best to listen and move forward; discussed services delivered to residents and visitors and noted the applicant has adjusted their application.
Councilmember Clarke spoke about receiving hateful emails; noted he has and is supporting the Pride Parade; reiterated his opposition to the banners and stated he represents the citizens of Solvang.
Councilmember Claudia Orona hoped the City can move forward on this item and spoke against making assumptions about people.
Councilmember Brown spoke about the community seeking a collective decision on individual rights and privileges; discussed emails he received in response to this matter; felt that accommodating this request would open the door for other groups to request the same; feared duplicating the Anheuser Busch fiasco and noted the decision will be the authority of the City.
Mayor Infanti claimed that the emails received from various officials have inaccurate statements regarding the City.
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Motion by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, to approve the Rainbow House Inc. Streetlight banner application for 8 banners for 2 weeks, Design No. 2, seconded by Councilmember Claudia Orona, and carried 3-2, with Councilmember Brown and Clarke, opposed.
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Infanti called for a recess at 8:47 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 8:55 p.m.
City Council returned to consider Presentations at this time and followed the rest of the agenda, as presented.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
Interim City Manager Vidro spoke about an upcoming event in relation to Public Works Month; announced an upcoming waterline project and traffic impacts on Friedensburg Canyon Way; and discussed items included in future agendas.
Brief discussion followed regarding the Planning Commission vacancy.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS - None
Motion by Councilmember Clarke, to extend the meeting past 9:30 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Claudia Orona, and carried 3-2, with Councilmember Clarke and Claudia Orona, opposed.
4. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented
b. Approve City Council Minutes March 27, 2023, March 30, 2023, April 10, 2023 c. Adopt resolution No. 23-1215 establishing a monthly stipend for members of the Design Review Committee
d. Approve Amendment 7 to the Agreement with Meridian Consulting LLC to an expanded scope of Services to the Sixth Amendment for completion of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents required for the USDA Grant Application, for the WWTP Water quality project; for the additional amount not to exceed $ 3,000 and authorize the Mayor to Execute on behalf of the City
e. Approve Quarterly Financial Reports
f. Receive and file Santa Barbara County Fire March 31, 2023 quarter reports Motion by Councilmember Claudia Orona, to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, and carried 5-0.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
6. DISCUSSION ITEMS
6.a. Heard after Public Comment above.
6.b Discussion and possible action regarding Streetlight Banner Guidelines and Application Administrative Services Director Berry presented details of the report.
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need to define “City-sponsored event”, approved versus new applicants and events funded through the City’s grant-funding policy.
Recreation Supervisor McClurg explained the list of current organizations that install banners in the City.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Tracy Beard - flags/banners promote tourism from other organizations.
Dr. Cynthia Matthews - Santa Ynez Valley Pride not Rainbow House is the sponsor.
There were no other public comments.
Councilmember Brown suggested approving all City-owned banners and stated this program is not meant to be used as private advertisements but rather to promote the City and its commerce.
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona mentioned the City has some approved banner designs from IDK and suggested they could be customized for specific events.
Mayor Infanti suggested that all banners be Solvang banners.
Discussion followed regarding taking input from the TAC and/or forwarding the item to the DRC.
Mayor Infanti invited Dr. Matthews to the podium.
Dr. Cynthia Matthews displayed her proposed version.
Discussion followed regarding received versus currently approved applications, directing staff to no longer receive applications and allowing a banner for Music in the Park.
Motion by Councilmember Brown, to no longer accept applications for banners, that the City display only City-owned banners as recommended by the DRC, seconded by Councilmember Clarke.
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona spoke about choosing banner designs being a marketing function.
Substitute motion by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, to install only one banner per pole of the Solvang Red “Crown” banners and to direct staff to no longer accept banner applications, seconded by Mayor Infanti and carried 4-1, with Councilmember Clarke, opposed. c. Discussion and possible action regarding the Tourism Advisory Committee vacancy and to provide direction to Staff
Vashti Wilson read her letter of resignation from the Tourism Advisory Committee; spoke about transfer of the City’s Facebook page out of her name and reported an ad campaign was posted under her business account.
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona noted that Council has still not received the results of an audit of The Abbi Agency; expressed disappointment with Ms. Wilson’s resignation and commented on challenges facing the TAC.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Denise El Amin spoke about applying to the TAC.
Cheryl Shallenberger, Former Marketing Manager, reported the access she was given for the City’s Facebook page did not allow her to do anything but post and stated she had nothing to do with the ad campaign referred to by Ms. Wilson.
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There were no other public comments.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke, to accept Vashti Wilson’s resignation from the TRC, seconded by Councilmember Brown, and carried 5-0.
Mayor Infanti suggested not giving direction to staff until after the joint City Council and TRC meeting.
City Council concurred with Mayor Infanti’s suggestion. b. Discussion and possible action on formation of an Ad Hoc Finance Subcommittee to review budget, investment, financing, and grant funding related issues Administrative Services Director Berry presented details of the report.
Brief discussion followed regarding the budget review process.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Denise El Amin spoke in support.
There were no other public comments.
Mayor Infanti stated he spoke with Councilmember Brown, and he has agreed to serve with him on the Ad Hoc Finance Subcommittee.
Discussion followed regarding the grant funding policy, the application process, potential conflicts of interest and the committee’s scope of work.
Motion by Mayor Infanti, to approve formation of an Ad Hoc Finance Subcommittee to review budget, investment, financing, and grant funding related issues and comprised of Mayor Infanti and Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried 5-0.
7. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona spoke favorably about visiting the Diablo Canyon PG&E Powerplant.
Mayor Infanti reported that he and Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona attended a recent SBCAG Training Program.
Councilmember Brown reported he will attend the Cal Cities District Area Dinner.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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