City Council praises outgoing ‘de facto police chief’ for service to Buellton
The Buellton City Council, in its Thursday, March 13, meeting, agreed to form an ad hoc committee to study a possible partnership with the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum to help with the further development of the project.
In other matters, the council received the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, approved a budget revision to consulting firm KOA for a Caltrans traffic study, and honored retiring Sheriff’s Lt. Mark Valencia for his service as “de facto police chief.”
On Business Item 10, which concerned the Children’s Museum, City Manager Scott Wolfe gave the report, saying the proposed Children’s Museum, the effort for which has been spearheaded by Executive Director Ashley Jenkins, has a limited permit right now for the former Willhelmsen property on 202 Dairyland Road. The building is opposite the recently completed and opened Buellton Library, and down the road from River View Park.
Wolfe pointed out that the partnership proposed in undefined at the moment and the purpose of the item is just to see if the council would be interested in such an alliance.
Jenkins came up to address the council and began by saying that she was there to gauge interest and get them “on the bus,” so to speak.
Jenkins went on to explain that her goal for the museum is a chance to kids to “go outside,” to help form an activity”hub” along with the library, park, and botanical gardens. She also maintained she’s not proposing the museum as a replacement for schooling, but as a continuation or complement.
After outlining her vision for the museum, Jenkins reiterated that any kind of support from the city would be helpful.
“I hat to oversell it, but his is a steal,” she said. “Whatever you contribute, we have everything planned out; we’re going to staff it, we’re going to run it, we’re going to be here for 30 years.”
When it was time for council questions, Mayor David Silva asked Jenkins when would be the optimum starting date.
“If I gave you the money you needed right now, how early could you open?” Silva asked. Jenkins replied Oct. 1 in that instance, but said she was realistically she was looking to open by the end of the year.
Councilmember Hudson Hornick alluded to the proposed Saturday meeting the councilmembers would have to discuss budgets, and whether they should wait to see what comes out of that meeting before deciding whether to support the museum. Silva replied that with the tight timetable involving the museum, the two should run concurrently.
Ultimately, it was decided that an ad hoc committee would be formed to study the issue, and Silva and Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis agreed to form it.
Right before that item, Finance Director Shannel Zamora presented the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2024.
Zamora summarized that Buellton is in solid position, and that overall net increase combined with healthy fund balance provides city with flexibility need to support future investment and meet ongoing obligations.
Silva asked if, concerning the stabilization of tax dollars, were we seeing a “new normal.”
“The [transit occupancy tax] is above what we were pre-COVID for the last two, three years it’s been stable, that’s been the new normal,” Zamora said. “We’re seeing a stable, tapered-off revenue stream.”
After no public comment, the report was received and filed. No motion was required.
Earlier in the meeting, the council made a Presentation to Mark Valencia for his Service to the City of Buellton. Lt.Valencia served for 30 years in the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and was referred to by Wolfe in the meeting as Buellton’s ‘de facto police chief.’
The city manager and council had nothing but praise for Valencia.
“[He’s a] fantastic chief, is responsive to city needs, sees problems coming a mile a way through problems,” Wolfe said.”An excellent resource. We all owe him a big thank you.”
After jokingly saying “take me with you,” Hornick stated, “Thirty years in public service is fantastic, a thankless job.You carry the torch well.”
Other comments from councilmembers:
Sanchez: You were a friend and someone who made me feel comfortable. Thank you from bottom of my heart.”
Lewis: Thank you for countless hours and weekends. Thank you for being approachable. You had a calm demeanor and never felt above me Thank you for the way that you led.”
Silva: Thank you for all you’ve done; weathered us through COVID and the role of law enforcement. A lot of people don’t realize how special that is.”
When it was his turn to speak, Valencia returned the compliments, saying, “Working with Buellton has been amazing and seamless. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call; I’m not dead, just retired.”
The City Council will meet next on Thursday, March 27, at 6 p.m.
