Contract awarded to build parking lot for library and future Children’s Museum
The Buellton City Council met for its regular meeting on Thursday, April 24, and moved forward two items involving the further development of the Willemsen property on Dairyland Road.
Mayor David Silva attended the meeting by remote from Sacramento, so Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis conducted the meeting.
The first item having to do with the Willemsen property was actually one pulled from the Consent Calendar: Item 5, which dealt with the awarding of a contract for the parking lot project for the recently opened Buellton Library and future projects on the site.
Public Works Director Rose Hess reported that the project was put out for bid in February, and by March 13, four bids had been received, with V. Lopez and Sons submitting the low bid at $2,147,561.10.
Hess also said the project would be divided into two phases: Phase 1 is the main parking lot, stairs and existing access road rehabilitation, while Phase 2 would be the drainage modification and the access drive directly between parking lots.
Councilmember Hudson Hornick, however, pulled the item for discussion as he was unsure the city should be paying right now for a parking lot near property that isn’t fully developed. Although the library has been completed, the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum is a work in progress and much of the land behind it hasn’t been improved.
“My reservation is that it’s a lot of money to build a parking lot before we even have a demand for it,” Hornick said.
However, Councilmember John Sanchez said this is the right time to spend the money for the lot.
“We’re going to have a parking lot there, we should just do it now,” he said. “It’s not going to get any cheaper.”
Silva agreed with Sanchez, saying “I’d rather spend now, instead of spending more later.”
Lewis added that the city had told residents near the property that the parking lot would alleviate traffic problems.
“We already have events planned for the property,” she said. “We’ve promised people in that area we wouldn’t get [the roads] congested.”
Eventually, Hornick was swayed to the others’ side, and after a motion by Sanchez to approve the item, it passed 4-0.
Later, the council discussed a future facility that will be served by the parking lot: Mainly, the possibility of a partnership between the city and the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum, which is planned for the space next to the library on Dairyland Road.
As City Manager Scott Wolfe noted in his report, at the March 13 City Council meeting, the council appointed an ad hoc committee comprising of Silva and Lewis to investigate a potential partnership with the Children’s Museum. This was made following a request for a partnership with the city by SYVCM Executive Director Ashley Jenkins during a public comment at an earlier meeting.
After some discussion between the committee and Jenkins, the committee recommended that the city provide short-term financial help to get the necessary projects built and the museum off the ground.
The funding plan proposed by the ad hoc committee calls for an initial contribution of $500,000 for FY 2025/26, followed by $300,000 for FY 2026/27, and a final contribution of $200,000 (on a matching basis) for FY 2027/28. This recommendation also requires the periodic review of expenditures of city funds by SYVCM and progress reports, with the result of these reviews and reports informing the City Council’s consideration of the subsequent year’s budget.
At the start of council discussion, Hornick inquired about the nature of the initial $500,000 contribution, whether it was limited to agreed expenditures or just a “gift.” Wolfe replied it would be contigent on an agreed-upon list of projects the museum would have to complete.
Hornick also wondered about any perks or discounts Buellton residents might be able to benefits from. Silva agreed that giving more consideration to Buellton residents would be a good idea, although drawing people from beyond city limits would be good too.
John Sanchez asked about liability: Would their involvement carry legal risk. Wolfe said the city attorney would be able to draft an agreement that would keep the city protected.
In Public Comment, Melissa Miller who lives in the neighborhood, was looking forward to seeing a completed Children’s Museum.
“It’s exciting to be a part of this, it’s needed to help children grow,” she said. “Children’s museums are destinations; this is an exciting opportunity, and I’m excited for it.”
Shelly Silva came to the podium with her daughter Sammie, and identified herself as a funder and supporter of the museum.
“I’d like to establish a destination for interactive play,” Shelly Silva said. “Just the possiblities: A water slide, imagine the soccer field that could be there.”
Jenkins came up to speak and give her vision of the museum and its effect, about how she wants to first get her programs online and then go from there, and how she wants her museum to be a “supplement” not a replacement for school.
“I’m proud to be part of this community,” Jenkins said. “I’ve been pushing this hard, but it’s what this city wants.”
Hornick expressed concern about the cost, especially with the first-year amount of $500,000, but emphasized he loves the idea of a children’s museum.
“I’m all for fiscal responsibility,” he said, “but don’t be afraid to come to us if you need something.”
Ultimately, Silva made the motion to move forward with the partnership, with Hornick seconding, and it passes 4-0.
The Buellton City Council will have a special joint meeting with the city Planning Commision on Wednesday, May 7, at 6 p.m., and then meet for its next regular meeting May 8 at the same 6 p.m. time.
