M 2024-11-12 CC 1
Regular Meeting – 6:30 PM
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, and Claudia Orona
Absent: Councilmember Elizabeth Orona
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, City Attorney Chelsea O’Sullivan, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Public Works Director/City Engineer Rodger Olds, Planning Manager Rafael Castillo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Jamie Baker led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS - None
2. PRESENTATIONS
a. FEMA Map Update
Santa Barbara County Flood District Engineering Manager Matthew Griffin presented details of the Preliminary Special Flood Hazard Area Maps (SFHA) and responded to questions from Council.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Olds commented on the interactive maps.
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Mayor Infanti invited public comments.
Steve Martin
David Goldstein, Friends of the Library, Santa Ynez Valley Dennis Beebe
Al Cortese
There were no other public communications on Non-Agenda and Consent Items.
4. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Murphy presented his report; announced the City is accepting applications for the Tourism Marketing and Advisory Committee; addressed upcoming increases in gas prices; commented
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2024
Docusign Envelope ID: 3CCE5ADA-88FE-402E-8946-1688C0294937 M 2024-11-12 CC 2
on the use of well water for another week and reported State water will be turned back on next week and spoke about SBCAG asking for public input on unmet transit needs.
Discussion followed regarding applications for the Planning Commission and DRC.
5. GC SECTION 53232.3(d) (aka AB 1234) and GC SECTION 84308 (aka SB 1439) REPORT OUT,
COUNCIL COMMENTS, REQUESTS
Mayor pro tem Brown thanked Public Works for power washing; commented on the election process; congratulated those who were reelected and thanked the Parks and Recreation team for the Veterans program.
Councilmember Claudia Orona reported attending the recent Cal Cities Conference.
Councilmember Clarke commented on the middle class taking a beating in the State; spoke about increased gas prices and mentioned the Veterans program.
Mayor Infanti commented favorably on the Veterans program and announced a prescribed burn in Lompoc.
6. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented
b. Approve City Council Minutes: October 28, 2024
c. Approve Response to 2024 County Grand Jury Report and Authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City
d. Receive and File the FY 2023-2024 Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Annual Report Motion by Councilmember Claudia Orona to approve Consent Items as presented, seconded by Councilmember Clarke and carried. 4-0 Councilmember Elizabeth Orona, absent.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
8. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Discussion and possible Action to Approve RATPDev Request for a Contract Amendment to include Rate Structure Modifications and Rate Increases to Operate the Santa Ynez Valley Transit Services
Public Works Director/City Engineer Olds narrated a PowerPoint presentation with details of the item.
Discussion followed regarding costs, ridership, the original RFP, other considerations, the evaluation and selection process and funding for electric vehicles and chargers.
Mayor Infanti invited public comments for this item.
Dominic Perez, General Manager, Santa Ynez Transit
There were no other public comments on this item.
Discussion followed regarding no need to modify the budget and no changes in pricing for the riders.
Docusign Envelope ID: 3CCE5ADA-88FE-402E-8946-1688C0294937 M 2024-11-12 CC 3
Motion by Mayor Infanti to approve Consent Items as presented, seconded by Mayor pro tem Brown and carried, 4-0. Councilmember Elizabeth Orona, absent. b. Discussion and Possible Action to Provide Staff Direction regarding Updates to Solvang Sign Ordinances
Planning Manager Castillo narrated a PowerPoint presentation with details of the report.
Discussion followed regarding the definition of “awnings”, construction signs, vacant for/sale/rent signs, requirements sign permits, timeline for approving a sign, application fees, instances where the ordinance is in conflict with itself, the need to schedule a workshop to review details of the ordinance changes, land-use clearance, the need for standards, clearly defining “preferred Danish style”, existing regulations and bench signs.
City Attorney O’Sullivan reported the last section is the flag ordinance and it was recently updated in a manner that was similar to what Planning Manager Castillo described, which was setting standards that can be approved at the staff level and if a sign does not meet those standards or requires an exemption, it goes to the DRC for review.
Discussion continued regarding the meaning of “a cloud of words”, the inability to regulate colors and understanding Solvang’s brand.
Mayor Infanti nvited public comments.
Aaron Petersen
There were no other public comments on this item.
Planning Manager Castillo mentioned a workshop and felt it would be best hosted by the DRC.
Council provided direction to move forward scheduling a workshop to review the sign ordinance and hosted by the DRC.
Discussion followed regarding the need to develop standards that can be approved at a staff level and forwarded to the DRC for consideration of exemption, including the Planning Commission in the workshop.
c. Discussion and possible action to provide staff direction regarding fulfillment of a potential District 3 City Council vacancy
City Manager Murphy discussed the final results of the recent election; announced District 3 Councilmember Brown will become the new Mayor which will result in a vacancy in District 3 and discussed the process including the option for a special election or an appointment.
City Attorney O’Sullivan explained the special election would not be held until November 2025.
Discussion followed regarding moving forward with an appointment, the need for candidates to meet minimum requirements, opening the application period, timing, making the application available online.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Mayor Infanti, to use an appointment process to fill the vacancy occurring in District 3 upon certification of the election. Councilmember Clarke seconded the motion, which carried 3-1, Councilmember Clarke, opposed, Councilmember Elizabeth Orona, absent.
9. COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS - None
Docusign Envelope ID: 3CCE5ADA-88FE-402E-8946-1688C0294937 M 2024-11-12 CC 4
10. ADJOURNMENT – 8:40 PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, CMC
City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 3CCE5ADA-88FE-402E-8946-1688C0294937