Minutes 2023-08-14 CC 1
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 14, 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, Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, Councilmembers David Brown, Robert Clarke, Claudia Orona
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Clarke led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – CLOSED SESSION
There were no public comments.
2. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – 5:32 p.m.
a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR – The closed session is authorized by Gov. Code 54957.6
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Dave Fleishman, City Attorney
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION:
Teamsters Union Local 986
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—Potential Litigation – Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
One Potential Case
c. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(2)
One Potential Case
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
City Attorney David Fleishman announced there was no reportable action.
4. ADJOURNMENT – 6:25 p.m.
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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, Claudia Orona
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, City Attorney David Fleishman, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Public Works Director Rodger Olds
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Brown led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS - None
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON- AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS There were no public comments.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Murphy discussed the recent State of the City event; reported speaking at a Rotary Club meeting and touring the Diablo Canyon Power Plant; announced the hiring of a Planning Manager who will begin on September 11, 2023 and an upcoming event hosted by Waste Management and noted he received an email that residents may notice an unusual water taste or odor because of a minute and non-hazardous amount algae in the water.
3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
Councilmember Brown spoke about monument signs throughout the City needing to be refreshened and requested having staff develop suggestions for enhancing the business community by either lowering the barrier to entry or streamlining processes to be more business friendly.
Councilmember Clarke suggested scheduling a meeting of merchants regarding the City’s sign ordinance and Council concurred to have Staff return with ideas on how to accomplish the task.
4. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented
b. Approve City Council Minutes:
i. Special Closed Session and Regular Meeting of July 24, 2023 ii. Special Closed Session Meeting of July 31, 2023
c. Approve July Warrants
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Orona, to approve Consent Items, seconded by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona and carried 5-0.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
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6. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Discussion and possible action to appoint a City Representative and Alternate to the League of California Cities
City Manager Murphy presented a brief report.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Mayor Infanti, to appoint Mayor Infanti as the City Representative and City Manager Murphy as the Alternate to the League of California Cities, seconded by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona and carried 5-0.
b. Discussion and possible action to Introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 23-0368 adding Chapter 5 (Graffiti Abatement) to Title 5 (Public Health and Safety) of the Solvang Municipal Code and making a determination of exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act
City Attorney Fleishman noted that City Council provided direction for staff to return with an ordinance addressing graffiti abatement; reported it was modeled after the City of Pismo Beach’s ordinance and presented it for first reading.
Discussion followed regarding options for enforcement, placing a deterrent clause that if the perpetrator is a minor, the parents will be responsible, remediation and restitution, adding language to Definitions, Section 5.52, including buses and other moving vehicles as well as monuments and statues.
City Attorney Fleishman noted there is language in terms of “including but not limited to” and stated the City is preempted for anything that goes on a vehicle, as that is within the jurisdiction of the State DMV.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Denise Beebe commented on inclusion of trash receptacles.
There were no other public comments.
City Attorney Fleishman reported trash receptacles would be considered personal property; felt the issue will need to be played by ear and discussed options for notifying residents.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke, to Introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 23-0368 adding Chapter 5 (Graffiti Abatement) to Title 5 (Public Health and Safety) of the Solvang Municipal Code and making a determination of exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act, seconded by Councilmember Brown and carried 5-0.
c. Discussion and possible action regarding sale or exchange of up to 400 acre-feet (AF) of 2023 state water allocation
City Manager Murphy presented details of the report and options for City Council’s consideration for up to 400 acre-feet of 2023 State water allocation.
Discussion followed regarding banking water at the San Luis Reservoir, the benefits of exchanging versus selling and reducing losses.
There were no public comments on this item.
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Motion by Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, to retain the City’s water rights of up to 400 acre-feet (AF) of 2023 state water allocation, seconded by Councilmember Claudia Orona and carried 5-0. d. Discussion and possible action to approve the Deed Restriction on HCA Park Public Works Director Olds presented details of the report; noted the need for the deed restriction in order to file a claim with the State and discussed pickleball court enhancements and picnic tables.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Councilmember Brown, to approve the Deed Restriction on HCA Park, seconded by Councilmember Claudia Orona and carried 5-0.
e. Discussion and possible action regarding dissolution of the Solvang Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC)
City Manager Murphy presented details of the report.
Discussion followed regarding planning for Julefest, the need for a committee (non-Brown Act), making a determination in a few months and potential cost savings related to dissolution of the TAC.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Tracy Beard, via Zoom, felt the TAC should remain.
There were no other public comments on this item.
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona felt the recommendation feels dismissive and disrespectful to TAC Members.
Mayor Infanti pointed out challenges with the TAC being a Brown Act body in terms of making timely decisions on pertinent items.
Councilmember Brown and Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona thanked Members of the TAC for volunteering their time and for their service.
Councilmember Claudia Orona felt the City failed to provide effective support to the TAC and spoke about the City Manager having the ability to form a non-Brown Act committee, as needed.
Motion by Mayor Infanti, to direct staff to return with an ordinance dissolving the TAC, seconded by Councilmember Clarke and carried 4-1, with Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona, opposed.
7. AB1234 REPORT OUT AND COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Councilmember Clarke reported attending the State of the City lunch.
Mayor pro tem Elizabeth Orona reported attending the Eastern Management GSA meeting;
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, City Clerk
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