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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 5:32 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 Elizabeth Orona, Mark Infanti, Louise Smith
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, City Attorney Chelsea O'Sullivan, City Clerk Annamarie Porter, Community Development Director Rafael Castillo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Smith led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION ONLY - None
2. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Brown recessed to Closed Session at 5:34 p.m.
a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION – Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 One potential case
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Brown reconvened to Open Session at 6:31 p.m.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
City Attorney O'Sullivan announced there was no reportable action.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brown adjourned the Closed Session at 6:32 p.m.
6:30 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Brown called the Regular meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 1644
MINUTES
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: BBEAAB58-6626-4D22-92E9-4913FEFC69A8 M 2025-10-27 CC 2
Oak Street, Solvang, California.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor David Brown, Mayor pro tem Claudia Orona, Councilmembers Elizabeth Orona, Mark Infanti, Louise Smith
Staff: City Manager Randy Murphy, City Attorney Chelsea O'Sullivan, City Clerk Annamarie Porter Community Development Director Rafael Castillo, Administrative Services Director Wendy Berry, Utilities Director Jose Acosta
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Karen Haugse led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS
a. Code Enforcement Officers Week
Received by Community Development Director Castillo
b. Diablo Power Plant
Eric Daniels, PG&E received the proclamation.
2. PRESENTATIONS
a. Utility Rate Structure Update
City Manager Murphy noted technical difficulties in that the PowerPoint is unable to be displayed on the screen.
Utilities Director Acosta narrated a PowerPoint presentation with an update on the Utility Rate Structure, the rate study, comparison of agencies; detailed capital improvement projects, and considerations for the future, wastewater fund.
Discussion followed regarding gaps in 2024/2025 data involving CIP projects that were not completed during the fiscal year, wastewater percentage increases, projected versus actual revenues and assumptions, status of the AMI Meter Read project, Reservoirs 1 and 3, increases in engineering costs, capacity to accommodate Los Olivos, status of funding from the USDA and broadening the scope of potential lenders and other funding options, and price tolerance peaks for consumers.
Administrative Services Director Berry further discussed projected rates, a build up reserves; the debt annual payment and the City needs to have a substantial balance in order to qualify for the loan.
City Attorney O’Sullivan provided a brief update on the status of the river well.
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – NON-AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Mayor Brown invited public comments.
Jean Seamount
Warren Small
There were no other public communications on Non-Agenda and Consent Items.
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4. CITY MANAGER REPORT AND ADVANCE CALENDAR
City Manager Murphy announced the next community cleanup, upcoming City Council meeting to discuss urban growth boundaries, storm water annual reports, and a future Council goal-setting session.
5. GC SECTION 53232.3(d) (aka AB 1234) and GC SECTION 84308 (aka SB 1439) REPORT OUT,
COUNCIL COMMENTS, REQUESTS
Mayor Brown attended the State of the Schools at the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, an SBSCAG meeting, an APCD meeting, a Chamber mixer, and the Danish Sisterhood of America.
6. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Approve Order of Agenda.
b. Approve City Council Minutes: October 13, 2025
c. Quarterly Financial Report July – September
d. Solvang City Council 2025 Goals Update
e. Second Reading for Adoption Ordinance 25-0384 Modifying terms for Advisory Body members. f. Third Quarter Marketing reports
Motion by Councilmember Elizabeth Orona to approve consent items, 6.a, 6.b, 6.c, 6.d and 6.f, seconded by Councilmember Smith, and carried 5-0.
EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
e. Second Reading for Adoption Ordinance 25-0384 Modifying terms for Advisory Body members Councilmember Elizabeth Orona offered corrections to the zip code qualifications for consideration for appointment to the RMOC Committee and the Design Review Committee, and how often the RMOC meets.
City Attorney O’Sullivan stated that since these are substantive edits, staff will bring it back for reintroduction at an upcoming meeting.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
8. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. City Hall Feasibility Study
City Manager Murphy asked for direction whether to continue the investigation, clarify costs, funding options, and return to Council with an update.
Discussion followed regarding possible revenue opportunities, selling some properties, making real assessments and due diligence.
Council concurred to direct staff to continue its research into a City Hall Feasibility Study.
Mayor Brown invited public comments. There were public comments on this item. b. Discussion and possible action to Introduce for first reading Ordinance No. 25-0385 Amending Title 10 of the Solvang Municipal Code and Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Building Codes
Community Development Director Castillo presented details of the administrative report.
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There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Mayor Brown to approve Item No. 8.b and set a date of November 24, 2025 for the second reading and public hearing, seconded by Councilmember Elizabeth Orona, and carried 5-0.
9. COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Mayor Brown wished everyone a Happy Halloween.
10. ADJOURNMENT – 8:52 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Annamarie Porter, CMC
City Clerk
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