Minutes 2023-05-08 CC 1
May 8, 2023
Special Closed Session – 5:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting – 6:30 p.m.
5:30 PM SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Infanti called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang, California.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Mark Infanti, Councilmembers David Brown, Robert Clarke, Claudia Orona
Absent: Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Brown led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION
Denise El Amin asserted Council wants to get into real estate.
There were no other public comments.
2. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – 5:37 p.m.
a. CONFERENCE WITH LEAGAL COUNSEL – Existing Litigation – pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case:
South Coast Property Company 13-B, LP v. City of Solvang; and Does 1 through 25, Case No. 22-cv-00254
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – 6:04 p.m.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
City Attorney Fleishman announced there was no reportable action.
4. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
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6:30 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Mark Infanti, Councilmembers David Brown, Robert Clarke, Claudia Orona
Absent: Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, City Attorney David Fleishman, Public Works Director Rodger Olds, Planning Manager Sophia Checa, City Clerk Annamarie Porter
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember C. Orona led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS – None
PRESENTATIONS
a. 2022 Visit Santa Ynez Valley Annual Report
Shelby Sim, Visit Santa Ynez Valley (VSYV), narrated a PowerPoint presentation with the 2022 Visit Santa Ynez Valley annual report.
Discussion followed regarding B&Bs and vacation rentals, costs of mid-week coupons, the number of vacation rentals in the valley, listing Solvang events, the VSYV website, sharing data with the City, and VSYV demographics.
Mayor Infanti welcomed new City Manager Randy Murphy and thanked former Interim City Manager Brad Vidro for this service.
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Denise El Amin urged the City to stay out of the real estate game.
Sabine Ovesen spoke about finding solutions to problems instead of complaining.
Joanne Clark thanked City Council for ending the flag controversy.
Sheila Benedict, via Zoom, welcomed City Manager Murphy.
There were no other public comments.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Murphy expressed his appreciation for the welcome he received; spoke about a meeting with the Office of Emergency Services; announced the League of Cities Annual Conference in Sacramento; urged Councilmembers to let him know if they are interested in attending and discussed an upcoming Special Joint meeting with the Tourism Advisory Committee.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Councilmember Clarke announced the recent passing of Chris Hartman; listed his civic involvement and asked the public to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers.
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4. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented
b. Approve April 2023 accounts payable
c. Adopt Resolution No. 23-1216 a Resolution of the City of Solvang, California authorizing signatures to City Bank Accounts with Montecito Bank & Trust
d. Approve Amendment 5 to the Agreement with Mintier Harnish LP to complete the General Plan Update process and include analysis of a conceptual development of the 5.5-acre property at the northwest corner of Alamo Pintado and Old Mission Drive known as Site C, for the additional amount not to exceed $164,102.49 and to extend the term to June 30, 2024, and Authorize the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City.
Motion by Councilmember Brown, to approve the Consent Calendar, as presented, seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried 4-0, with Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, absent.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
6. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Discussion and possible action to receive Planning Commissioner Rodriguez’s resignation and provide direction to Staff regarding Councilmember Brown’s appointment to the Planning Commission
Planning Manager Checa presented details of the report and discussed options for Council’s consideration.
Discussion followed regarding using the applications from the prior Planning Commission applicants.
Councilmember Brown appointed Scott Gold to the Planning Commission.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments on this item.
Denise El Amin spoke about submitting her name.
Motion by Councilmember Brown, to appoint Scott Gold to the Planning Commission, seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried 4-0, with Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, absent. b. Discussion and possible action to Adopt Resolution No. 23-1217 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Solvang, California initiating intention of the Annual Assessment for the Solvang Mesa Landscape & Lighting Maintenance District No. 2004-1 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 Public Works Director Olds narrated a PowerPoint presentation with details of the report.
Discussion followed regarding collecting the assessment with property taxes, creation of an HOA, plans for installing traffic signals on Mesa and Mission, the City’s responsibility for road repairs and maintenance.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Denise El Amin objected to the assessment.
There were no other public comments.
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Discussion followed regarding holding vendors accountable for their work.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke, to adopt Resolution No. 23-1217 a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Solvang, California initiating intention of the Annual Assessment for the Solvang Mesa Landscape & Lighting Maintenance District No. 2004-1 for Fiscal Year 2023-24, seconded by Councilmember Clarke, and carried 4-0, with Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, absent.
7. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Councilmember Brown reported attending the recent League of Cities District meeting and an energy meeting.
Mayor Infanti announced the City of Solvang bought a table at the City of Buellton State of the City at and addressed items discussed as well as brick energy.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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