Solvang Council Advances Wastewater Financing and Extends City Manager Contract

Proclamation and Public Safety Presentation

Mayor David Brown and the City Council issued a proclamation honoring the late Susan Williams, a local business owner and community icon who passed away on the morning of the April 27, 2026 meeting. Williams co-founded the Wandering Dog Wine Bar in 2007, Solvang Third Wednesdays, Scarecrow Fest, and the Solvang Summer Concert Series.

Lieutenant Travis presented the 2025 crime reporting statistics and calls for service for the city of Solvang. Part one crimes decreased by 8.2% from 2024 to 2025, representing five fewer serious crimes. Calls for service saw a 3.2% decrease, amounting to approximately 150 fewer calls. The presentation also detailed the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office transition to the National Incident-Based Reporting System in the final quarter of 2025.

Road Maintenance and Transportation Funding

Public hearings were held for annual road and transportation funding resolutions. The council considered adoption of Resolution No. 26-1312, approving the fiscal year 2026-27 list of projects to be funded by the SB 1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account. The city expects to receive approximately $158,400 in SB 1 funds, which will be allocated to a slurry seal maintenance project in Area 1 of the pavement management program. Solvang's current average pavement condition index (PCI) stands at 59. The council approved the resolution on a 5-0 vote.

The council also considered Resolution No. 26-1313, approving the Measure A 5-year local program of projects for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2030-31. Measure A provides estimated annual tax revenues ranging from $474,268 in the upcoming fiscal year to $547,165 five years out, which are used alongside SB 1 and local funds to support street maintenance and pavement rehabilitation. The council approved the resolution on a 5-0 vote.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and Infrastructure Financing

The council held a discussion and public comment on the wastewater treatment plant upgrade, including the notice of intent to apply for financial assistance through the USDA Rural Utilities Service. The upgrade project is estimated to cost $18.5 million. The city secured $1 million in congressionally directed spending through Congressman Carbajal's office and intends to apply for a USDA loan of approximately $17.5 million with a term of up to 40 years and an estimated interest rate of 4.75%, resulting in an annual debt service of roughly $983,000. The public meeting and notice of intent serve as procedural requirements for the USDA application process. No formal vote was taken.

Intellectual Property and City Code of Ethics

The city attorney presented a primer on municipal intellectual property, copyrights, and trademarks, discussing policy options regarding whether to register marketing assets, logos, and slogans, and whether to adopt a formal policy of sending cease-and-desist letters for unauthorized use. Consensus emerged to adopt a general policy of sending notification letters when unauthorized use of city assets is identified, but the council did not reach consensus on proactive mass registration. No vote was taken.

The council discussed potential additions to the city code of ethics for the city council and advisory bodies, including requirements to disclose new material financial interests during a member's term and adding a formal censure resolution mechanism for ethical violations. Staff was directed to refine proposed amendments and bring back a revised ethics code for future consideration. No vote was taken.

City Manager Agreement Amendment

The council considered and adopted Resolution No. 26-1314 amending the city manager employment agreement. The agreement extended the city manager's term to June 30, 2030, increased the city's deferred compensation contribution to 4% of annual salary effective April 28, 2026, and granted 10-year tenure status for vacation accrual purposes only, providing an additional 40 hours of vacation leave per year effective April 28, 2026. The council approved the resolution on a 5-0 vote.

Consent Calendar

The council approved items 6A through 6F covering routine administrative and fiscal matters unanimously on a 5-0 vote.

Public Comment

David Gruber honored Susan Williams and spoke about local youth programs and cancer advocacy. Denise Salamine raised concerns regarding landscape maintenance by contractor Bright View in the Solvang Mesa LLMD, water bills, and city council ethics. John Steel, a retired attorney, commented on trademark and copyright enforcement obligations. Robbie Hargreaves paid tribute to Susan Williams, discussed local ethics, and recited the Rotary four-way test.

Closed Session

The council adjourned to closed session to discuss public employee performance evaluation for the city manager, conference with labor negotiators regarding Teamsters Local 986 and unrepresented employees, and conference with real property negotiators regarding 478 4th Place. Upon returning, the Mayor reported no reportable action on items A, C, D, and E. On item B concerning city manager labor negotiations, the council gave staff direction on several amendments to the city manager's employment contract to be discussed in open session.

This recap was prepared by an AI system based on the official meeting recording and reviewed by a human editor before publication.