Appointment continued to Jan. 23 meeting; special election is a possibility
A Buellton City Council meeting that many hoped would result in the appointment of a new City Councilmember, instead resulted in that issue being tabled until the next meeting, and the increased possibility of a special election to fill the seat.
The new contingent of councilmembers had hoped to appoint a candidate to serve out the term of the District 4 seat during the meeting, but the four councilmembers deadlocked on the two main candidates: Carla Mead, a self-employed math tutor and wine ambassador for Rideau Winery, who’s served as Solvang Theaterfest board member and a volunteers for a number of local organizations, and former Buellton Mayor Dave King, a retired CHP officer who has also served on many local boards and commissions.
The process for the new councilmember vote began with Mayor David Silva, who was the District 4 representative until taking over as mayor last month, announcing that candidates would have a three-minute period to state their case for the position, moving to public comment, and then the established councilmembers deciding on their choice. Silva then called up Mead, who he said was the only candidate who submitted a letter of interest “to all of us as a council.”
In her speech, Mead cited her experience as an educator for 20 years as well as her work as a volunteer with groups like the SYV Humane Society and Solvang Theaterfest Board, among others.
“I’ve taught in a wide variety of environments. These experiences required me to connect with people of diverse backgrounds, understand their unique challenges … and collaborate to find solutions for everyone,” she said.
She also spoke of her direct involvement in city government in applying for a spot on the Planning Commission, and helping lead a successful appeal against the building of an In-N-Out Burger on McMurray Road.
“These experiences deepened my understanding of local government and reinforced my view of thoughtful planning that balances economic growth with the preservation of the character of our city,” Mead said.
“Throughout my life, I’ve been guided by my commitment to service,” Mead concluded. “This opportunity to serve on City Council would give me the chance to serve the community I love in a profound way.”
After Mead spoke, Silva opened up the floor for anyone else who wanted to be considered for the council vacancy, and Dave King, the city’s previous mayor, stepped up to the podium to express his interest.
“I think my record speaks for itself,” King said, citing his experience in the military, law enforcement, and city government. “I think some of the accomplishments that I’ve done over the last 12 years have served the City of Buellton and its citizens. Every decision I’ve made was for the good and betterment of the community. We all do this as a labor of love for the community.”
In the following public comment, seven speakers came forward to voice their support for Mead, including her husband John, and some co-workers and fellow volunteers. The common thread with the speakers was their desire to bring some”new blood” (as put by the first speaker, Vivian Engle) on the council. They also praised Mead for her past work as a volunteer and on numerous board and councils, as well as her efforts in appealing the In-N-Out proposal.
When the item came back to council, District 1 Councilmember Hudson Hornick and District 3 Councilmember John Sanchez backed King; however, Silva and Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis (District 2) threw their support behind Mead.
The impasse seemed to be a case of the councilmembers arguing on two different issues as they debated, at times contentiously, the choice between the candidates.
Hornick began by nominating King, saying he was against the idea of appointing someone to the council instead havingan election. He said if they had to appoint, they should select King because although he lost the mayoral election in November, the votes he garnered showed he has support from people in the city.
“There was a mayoral election and Dave King got 1,200 votes,” he said. “I am unwilling to appoint someone else when we have somebody who got 1,200 votes in the election wants to serve.”
Sanchez also supported King for the appointment, bristling at the talk that the council needed “new blood,” or a different voice. His position was that the previous council had done a good job at leading the city.
“A small group got together to stop In-N-Out, and now a small group wants to come in and change things,” Sanchez said. “I get comments from residents from other cities who tell me what a great city Buellton is and we’re doing it right, and a lot of that should be credited to Dave King.”
Lewis, meanwhile, believed bringing in a “new voice” would be beneficial, and would encourage citizens in the future to get involved.
“I don’t take away from awesome things King did for this city,” she said. “My concern is we had a small group get involved in leading this city. We talk about wanting to get the citizens involved [in council] but then we don’t let them in, and it’s difficult to get new people involved. My support would be for new voices, why I would nominate Carla, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate who came before.”
In expressing his support for Mead, Silva said that District 4 supporters had come to the meeting and expressed their desire to see Mead appointed, and that took precedence over an election for another office.
“I struggle with the rational of an election for mayor being the reason not to get someone new [for District 4],” Silva said. “If we’re trying to represent District 4’s interest, District 4 has spoken: 17 emails for Mead , nine from the district, and four or five [actually seven] comments.”
After the ensuing debate over the relevance of the mayor’s race to the District 4 appointment, and the need for new voices when, as Sanchez pointed out, he was the longest serving councilmember on the dais and had only been there six years, the four councilmembers said they would not budge.
After separate motions to appoint each of the candidates to the seat ended in 2-2 votes, Hornick moved to continue the item until the next meeting on Jan. 23. Motion passed 3-1, with Lewis dissenting.
Silva said that any additional candidates wanting the appointment would be considered, but that if a decision isn’treached on Jan. 23, the city would go to a special election for the seat.
In other business at the meeting:
- Appointments were made for the city’s Planning Commission as Silva appointed Brian Campbell, and Hornick appointed Kasey Kump. Two existing members, Shannon Reese and Marcilo Sarquilla were designated as appointees of Lewis and Sanchez, respectively. The council held off the appointment of a fifth member pending the potential appointment of the District 4 council seat.
- The councilmembers determined assignment for some of the boards and commissions: As mayor, Silva will be the representative for SBCAG and the Air Pollution Control District, with Lewis being the alternate for both;while Sanchez will continue as rep for the Central Coast Water Authority.
