M 2024-09-09 CC 1
Special Closed Session – 5:30 PM
Regular Meeting – 6:30 PM
5:30 PM SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Infanti called the Special Closed Session 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 David Brown, Councilmembers Robert Clarke, Claudia Orona (arrived at 5:35 p.m.), Elizabeth Orona
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, City Attorney Chelsea O’Sullivan, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Planning Manager Rafael Castillo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Clarke led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION ONLY - None
2. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION – Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Session 54956.9(d)(2) One potential case
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION – Initiation of litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(4): one potential case Name of Case:
Southern California Edison Company vs California State Board of Equalization, Superior Court of California, County of Orange Case No. 30-2024-01403215-CU-MC-CXC.
Mayor Infanti adjourned to Closed Session at 5:35 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Infanti reconvened to Open Session at 6:15 p.m.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
City Attorney O’Sullivan reported that for both Items 2a and 2b, Council gave direction to staff and there were no reportable actions.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Infanti adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
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6:30 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Infanti called the Regular 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 David Brown, Councilmembers Robert Clarke, Claudia Orona, Elizabeth Orona
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, City Attorney Chelsea O’Sullivan, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Administrative Services Director Wendy Berry
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Cynthia Mathews led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS - None
2. PRESENTATIONS
a. Frontier Communications
Doug McAlister, Vice President, External Affairs, Frontier Communications, narrated a PowerPoint presentation about the Frontier Communications Fiberoptics Network.
Discussion followed regarding comparisons with broadband or star link systems, existing fiber, adding new fiber and current broadband initiatives.
b. Pers Liability
Mayor Infanti motioned to move the Pers Liability presentation until after Consent. Approved by consensus.
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Dr. Cynthia Mathews
Dennis Beebe, Santa Ynez Citizens Council
Dan Martin
Robert Peltcher
Stephen Martin
There were no other public communications on Non-Agenda and Consent Items.
4. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Murphy reported receiving a Notice of Public Hearing from the Santa Barbara County Board of Architectural Review which will occur on Friday at 9:00 a.m. at the Santa Ynez CSD Office addressing a couple of Verizon issues and announced the Young American Foundation made a request to place flags on Veterans’ Hall lawns in remembrance of 9/11.
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COUNCIL COMMENTS, REQUESTS
Councilmember Elizabeth Orona reported attending two GSA meetings and discussed items addressed during those meetings.
Mayor pro tem Brown complimented staff for power washing sidewalks and suggested specifying a professional business attire under Council’s Rules of Conduct.
Mayor Infanti reported attending the Toast Nonprofit Community; discussed a Viking ship playground item that was built at the Santa Ynez Valley School and mentioned he and his wife took a tour of the burn area at the Sedgewick Reserve and spoke about the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics informational kickoff.
Councilmember Clarke announced he is on the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association; spoke about the Young American Foundation and asked to place a discussion on an upcoming agenda about developing a professional guidebook for business owners and developers as a check list of what they need for signs, for permitting, etc., and consider eliminating the DRC.
Councilmember Elizabeth Orona stated that a guidebook will open the City to increased disputes.
City Attorney O’Sullivan noted the item is to consider adding a discussion to a future agenda and not the merits of the proposition.
There was Council consensus to place a discussion about the possibility of developing a professional guidebook for business owners and developers as a check of requirements on an upcoming agenda.
A poll of Councilmembers resulted in a 3-2 vote to place a discussion on an upcoming agenda regarding the possibility of eliminating the DRC.
6. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented
b. Approve City Council Minutes: August 12, 2024
c. Approve July and August 2024 Payables
d. This Item was pulled from Consent by Mayor pro tem Brown, for separate discussion. e. Receive and File Disaster Preparedness SBC press release f. Adopt Resolution 24-1271 Approving, and Authorizing the City Manager to execute, a Second Amendment to the Cooperation Agreement between the County of Santa Barbara and City of Solvang for Participation in the Santa Barbara Urban County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for Three Federal Fiscal Years (2025-2027) g. Receive and file the City of Solvang’s biennial budget book for Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26 Mayor pro tem Brown pulled Item No. 6.d from Consent for separate discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke to approve Consent Items, except for Item No. 6.d, which was pulled for separate consideration, seconded by Councilmember Elizabeth Orona and carried, 5-0.
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
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d. Adopt Resolution No. 24-1270 Declaring the Intent of the City to be Reimbursed for Certain Capital Expenditures from the Proceeds of Indebtedness
City Manager Murphy discussed replacement of the City’s wastewater treatment plan and addressed funding options and the possibility of issuing bonds.
Mayor pro tem Brown felt the City should have this policy for all borrowing; noted this only relates to one project and thought it to be too narrow.
Administrative Services Director Berry reported on challenges because the City does not know what the projects will be and spoke about limitations on reimbursements without having a resolution, noting the City is not allowed to get reimbursed for what has been spent.
Motion by Councilmember Clarke to approve Item No. 6.d, seconded by Councilmember Claudia Orona and carried, 5-0.
2.b Pers Liability Presentation
Julio Morales, Kosmont Financial Services, narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding the possibility of reducing the City’s CalPERS liability.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
8. DISCUSSION ITEMS - None
9. COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Mayor Infanti noted the State of the City event will be in two weeks.
City Manager Murphy announced the hiring of a new Utilities Director and discussed other recruitment efforts.
10. ADJOURNMENT – 7:58 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, CMC, City Clerk
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