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Special Closed Session – 5:30 PM
Regular Meeting – 6:30 PM
5:30 PM SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Brown called the Special Closed Session meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang, California.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor David Brown, Mayor pro tem Claudia Orona, Councilmembers Mark Infanti, Elizabeth Orona
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, Assistant City Attorney Craig Steele, RWG Group Attorney David Fleishman (via zoom), City Clerk Annamarie Porter.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Manager Murphy 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 Section 54956.9(d)(2).
One potential case
Mayor Brown adjourned to Closed Session at 5:33 p.m.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Brown reconvened to Open Session at 6:30 p.m.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
Assistant City Attorney Steele announced there was no reportable action taken during Closed Session.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brown adjourned the Closed Session at 6:30 p.m.
6:30 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Brown called the Regular meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang, California.
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
Monday, January 13, 2025
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ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor David Brown, Mayor pro tem Claudia Orona, Councilmembers Mark Infanti and Elizabeth Orona
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, Assistant City Attorney Craig Steele, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Utilities Director Jose Acosta
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Joy Chamberlain, Daughters of the American Revolution, led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Brown announced Item 9b will be discussed after Item 2a and Item 9a will be discussed at a future meeting.
1. DISCUSSION ITEMS PART A
a. Discussion and possible action to select a new Council Member as Solvang’s District 3 representative
City Clerk Porter presented details of the report.
Each of the District 3 candidates provided brief presentations.
Mayor Brown invited public comment.
Dan Martin
Tracy Beard
Steven Brown
Mary Beth Lee
Susan Williams
Motion by Councilmember Elizabeth Orona to appoint Louise Smith for Councilmember, seconded by Councilmember Infanti, and carried, 4-0, by roll call vote.
Mayor Brown announced a five-minute recess to swear in Councilmember Smith, who then took her place on the dais.
Mayor Brown reconvened the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
2. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS
a. Refugio del Cielo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Proclamation Mayor Brown moved to Item No. 9b.
3. PRESENTATIONS - None
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Mayor Brown invited public comments.
Brian Carrillo
Ellen Albertoni
Dennis Beebe
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Craig Kent
Dan Martin
Lansing Duncan
Steve Martin
Al Cortese
Tracy Beard
Mark Oliver
There were no other public communications on Non-Agenda and Consent Items.
5. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Murphy stated Staff is in the process of writing an analysis of the holiday season activities and he will update the Council when more information is available; reported there was a request from Vandenberg for the community to share comments about the noise levels and other concerns caused by the space launches and directed residents to the City website for more information; announced the next community cleanup will be on February 15t, 2025 in Lot 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., that volunteers are needed to help count the homeless in the community and that more information is available at www.CountyofSB.pointintime.info and that there will be a Measure U workshop on January 28th, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Utility Director Acosta narrated a PowerPoint presentation detailing updates to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.
In response to the Council, Utility Director Acosta stated the projected completion date is summer of 2028; reported that in regards to taking Los Olivos’ wastewater, there have not been any decisions yet but there are future meetings planned; noted that if Solvang takes Los Olivos’ wastewater it would enter the system at Sunny Field and Los Olivos would be financially liable for the upgrades need; added that the two year projection includes switching from the old treatment system to the new system and indicated consultants have been hired to pursue grant funding.
6. GC SECTION 53232.3(d) (aka AB 1234) and GC SECTION 84308 (aka SB 1439) REPORT OUT,
COUNCIL COMMENTS, REQUESTS
Mayor pro tem Claudia Orona requested that the code regarding abandoned projects be revisited to maintain public safety and protect the City’s look and integrity.
Councilmember Infanti requested an update on maintenance and upgrades for the Alisal water reservoir and Alisal Ranch water reservoir.
Councilmember Infanti cited the difficulties the firefighters had with the recent Los Angeles fires and said an emergency plan is needed.
Councilmember Elizabeth Orona requested that an emergency plan be first priority and requested Staff acquire quotes and bids for fire abatement measures.
Mayor Brown reported attending a Gathering of Civic Leaders at the Vandenberg Space Force base with Councilmember Infanti.
Councilmember Elizaeth Orona reported attending the SYV EMA JPA meeting in December.
7. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda as Presented.
b. Approve City Council Minutes: December 9, 2024
c. Adopt Resolution No. 25-1275 Authorizing Signatories to City bank accounts with Montecito Bank Docusign Envelope ID: 65CF2C7B-8A00-4082-A705-E957810320A0 M 2025-01-13 CC 4
and Trust.
d. Approve Amendment 1 to the Agreement with Pavement Engineering, Inc for the preparation of design and construction documents for the Alamo Pintado Rehabilitation project for the additional amount of $99,745, for a total agreement amount not to exceed $130,441, and to extend the term to December 31, 2025, and authorize the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City. e. Adopt Resolution No. 25-1276 to adopt the updated RATP DEV/Santa Ynez Valley Transit FTA Drug and Alcohol Policy.
f. Receive and file Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s statistics g. Approve Monthly Financial Report
h. Adopt Resolution No. 25-1277 Adopting the Annual Investment Policy for calendar year 2025. i. Receive and file SBC Fire Report
j. Approve Amendment 1 to the Agreement with JJ Fisher Construction, Inc. for PW 24-04 Concrete Repairs Change Order 1 for the additional Copenhagen Sidewalk Work, and Tree Removal No. 1, 2, 3 for the additional amount of $62,772.79 for a total Contract Amount not to exceed $534,987.79, and authorize the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City Motion by Councilmember Infanti to approve Consent Items, as presented, seconded by Councilmember Elizabeth Orona and carried, 5-0.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
9. DISCUSSION ITEMS PART B:
a. Discussion and possible action to Adopt Resolution No. 25-1278 Granting Consent to the County of Santa Barbara to Establish the Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District (SBCWID) and Include the City of Solvang in the Established SBCWID This item was continued to a future meeting.
b. Discussion and possible action to select representatives for Advisory Body Positions:
i. Planning Commission
ii. Design Review Committee
iii. Measure U Citizens Oversight Committee.
City Clerk Porter listed all candidates for the Planning Commission and those in attendance briefly presented.
Nick Zigler
William Zigler
Jack Williams
Brandon Sparks-Gillis
Alix Marks
Mayor Brown invited public comments.
Dennis Beebe
Tracy Beard
Jamie Baker
Seeing no further public comments, Mayor Brown closed public comments.
Councilmember Infanti appointed Jack Williams.
Mayor pro tem Claudia Orona appointed Aaron Peterson.
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Councilmember Smith appointed Brandon Sparks-Gillis.
Councilmember Elizabeth Orona appointed William Zigler.
Mayor Brown appointed Kief Adler.
Motion by Mayor pro tem Claudia Orona to appoint and ratify Jack Williams, Aaron Peterson, Brandon Sparks-Gillis, William Zigler, and Keif Adler to the Planning Commission, seconded by Councilmember Infanti, and carried 5-0.
City Clerk Porter listed all the candidates who applied for the Design Review Committee and those in attendance gave a brief introduction.
Angelo Caciola
Esther Jacobsen Bates
Juan Roca
Richard Boyd
Mayor Brown invited public comments.
Lansing Duncan
Mark Oliver
Dennis Bebe
Tracy Beard
Seeing no further public comments, Mayor Brown closed public comments.
Councilmember Infanti appointed Esther Jacobsen Bates.
Mayor pro tem Claudia Orona appointed Jennifer Johnson.
Councilmember Smith appointed Melissa Bates.
Councilmember Elizabeth Orona appointed Charlene Goetz
Mayor Brown appointed Juan Roca.
Councilmember Infanti noted that Mr. Roca is a contractor, and the intent of the DRC is for design issues.
Mayor Brown invited Mr. Roca to speak.
Mr. Roca answered questions from the Council regarding areas of conflict, his business, and objective of being a part of the DRC.
Mayor Brown made a substitute nomination and appointed Richard Boyd.
Motion by Councilmember Infanti to appoint and ratify Esther Jacobsen Bates, Jennifer Johnson, Melissa Bates, Charlene Goetz, and Richard Boyd to the Design Review Committee, seconded by Councilmember Smith, and carried 5-0.
City Clerk Porter listed the candidates who applied to the Measure U Committee and those in attendance gave an introduction.
Hank Homburg
Henry Haugse
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Mayor Brown invited public comments.
Jamie Baker
Steve Brown
Seeing no further public comments, Mayor Brown closed public comment.
Mayor pro tem Claudia Orona appointed Adelia Kehoe.
Mayor Brown appointed Henry Haugse.
Motion by Councilmember Infanti to appoint and ratify Adelia Kehoe and Henry Haugse to the Measure U Committee, seconded by Councilmember Elizabeth Orona, and carried 5-0. c. Discussion and possible action to Adopt Resolution No. 25-1279 Amending the Remote Public Comment and “Zoom Bombing” Policy and Renaming said policy the “Remote and InPerson Public Comment and Disruptive Speech Policy.” Assistant City Attorney Steele provided the report.
Mayor Brown invited public comments.
There were no public comments.
Motion by Councilmember Infanti to adopt Resolution No. 25-1279 as presented, seconded by Councilmember Smith, carried 5-0.
9. COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
10. ADJOURNMENT – 9:30 p.m.
Mayor Brown adjourned the meeting in honor of previous Mayor Ken Verkler; offered his sympathies and condolences and expressed his appreciation, on behalf of the City for his service to Solvang.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, CMC
City Clerk
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