For the third time this year, local demonstrators lined up in front of the Solvang Veterans Memorial Building on Saturday, Aug. 16, to protest the policies of President Donald Trump. The latest demonstration, was titled “Protect Our Checks,” amid concerns that the president’s policies will threaten Social Security.

Worries about the federal program came after recemt comments made by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who called a new Trump initiative a “backdoor for privatizing Social Security.” Bessent later clarified his statement in a social media post and said the Trump Administration is “committed to protecting Social Security and to making sure seniors have more money.”

On Thursday, Aug. 14, Trump signed a proclamation honoring the 90th anniversary of Social Security, and siad he said he will honor his “sacred promise” made on the campaign trail to protect the program.

The Solvang rally, as well as many across the country, including ones in Santa Barbara and Lompoc, was held on Aug. 16 because it was two days after the 90th anniversary of the Social Security legislation being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The local protest was organized in part by Indivisible SYV, a local political action group.

Crowds stood along the sidewalk in front of the Veterans Building on Mission Drive (a few on the other side of the street) with signs with slogans like “Make America Think Again,” “Democracy Not Dicktators,” and “Crybaby-in-Chief” while some motorists passing by honked their support. While Social Security was the catalyst for this particular protest, demonstrators also had other issues in mind.

“This is happening because we just had the anniversary of FDR signing Social Security into law,” said protester Donna Small. “But we also have our issues with the ICE immigration raids and the redistricting in Texas. We need to keep people aware of what’s going on.”

Also at the protest, leading the crowd in chants via his bullhorn was Benjamin Vizzachero, who had a personal reason for attending the rally.

“I got fired by the Trump administration after the budget cuts,” Vizzachero said. “I got involved with the group [Indivisible SYV] and I thought it needed a little more energy.”

One part-time local resident who wasn’t at the Solvang rally, has been a booming voice in support of Democratic Party causes.

Jon Bauman, who has a home in the Santa Ynez Valley, is the president of a national political action committee called Social Security Works, which advocates for protecting and expanding Social Security, and is also a member of the steering committee of Indivisible SYV, a local branch of the national organization that has established itself as one of the key groups resisting the current administration’s policies.

However, many remember Bauman by his nickname “Bowzer,” and his standing as one of the lead singers for the popular group Sha Na Na in the 1970s and ‘80s, a deep-voiced, musclebound, slicked-back-hair crooner who could belt out the band’s trademark ‘50s doo-wop sounds with the best of them at concerts and during the group’s weekly TV show.

These days he’s still using his booming voice to work up a crowd, but this time mostly with the help of a bullhorn at rallies protesting many of the Trump administration’s severe budget cuts, federal worker layoffs and harsh immigration policies. Small said Bauman was taking part in the Protect Your Checks protest in Bakersfield that day.

The theme of the Aug. 16 rallies is one that’s particularly close to Bauman’s heart. Since his Sha Na Na days, he’s become a nationally known expert on Social Security legislation and an advocate for a variety of senior issues. It has been widely publicized that if no changes are made in Social Security funding, benefits may have to be cut by as soon as 2034. Recent statements from Trump’s Secretary of the Treasury have made Bauman even more worried about the future of Social Security.

“Treasury Secretary (Scott) Bessent really did say the quiet part out loud the other day when he said ‘Oh, this is a backdoor way of privatizing Social Security,’” Bauman said in a press release before that protests, referring to the $1,000 ‘Trump Accounts’ for newborns that are envisioned in what Bauman calls the “Big Ugly Budget Bill” that Congress passed in July.

To Bauman, the Protect Our Checks rallies was provide a way for people to support not only the future of Social Security, but other threatened programs that are critical to seniors, including Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.

“The biggest line of attack are the DOGE cuts,” Bauman said, referring to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has slashed the number of  Social Security employees by 7,000, or more than ten percent. “They’re trying to destroy the Social Security Administration so that it doesn’t function. And then they’ll say ‘Oh, see this whole program doesn’t work … we’ll have to give it over to Wall Street and they’ll make it work.’”

Back at the Solvang rally, protester Mike Brady, who is a 50-year resident of the city, said he was speaking out for Social Security, but his reason for being there was much broader.

“I’m here because I belive in democracy,” he said. “Our constitution is being taken away, and if we let it, there’s nothing left but a dictator. Do we want that? I say no.”

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The owner of the Farmhouse Motel on Avenue of Flags objected to the Buellton City Council’s attempt to remove his business’ standing as a housing unit, as the council introduced a first reading of a proposed update that would limit hotel rooms to just short-term rentals, during the council’s regular meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14.

The council put the public hearing, Resolution 25-06, on the agenda to eventually prohibit hotels rooms from being long-term rentals, or single-room occupancies (SROs). Farmhouse Motel was one of the lodging establishment that eventually became residential units for low-income individuals that the city believes does not fit in with the planned redevelopment of the Avenue of Flags corridor. The city also desires hotels on that street that will bring in more Transient Occupancy Tax (TOR).

However, due to the state of California designating the motel as a low-income residence, the city would have to arrange alternate housing for any displaced residents to move into.

During Public Comment on the item, Kerry Moriarty, owner of the Farmhouse Motel, protested the proposal to take away his business’ designation for long-term residence, believing his motel is being singled out.

“My property is really the only one that’s affected by this proposal,” said Moriarty, who noted that the nearby Red Rose Court was deterimined to be exempt from the ordinance, and the San Marcos Hotel, which only rents long-term to “three or four” tenants.

“I’ve had this property for 20 years; I’ve operated it as an apartment building, I’ve got a mortgage on it underwritten as an apartment building,” he said. “If it goes back to being a motel, guess what happens to that mortgage — I go in default.”

“I don’t know how you’re even considering this with the state mandate on affordable housing,” he continued. “My property is what the state mandate is trying to preserve.”

Later on, one of Moriarty’s tenants spoke on behalf of the owner.

“I’ve been a Farm House resident 14 years, disabled 15 years ago and this is the only place I can afford,” said the man, who did not give his name. “It just doesn’t seem right, it’s a nice place .Cary keeps it up nice. With the homeless problems in that state, to take our home away from us, I don’t understand.”

When it went to council, it was pointed out that this was just a first reading, and wouldn’t have a chance to pass until the next council meeting on Sept. 11.

Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis said she was uncomfortable with the Dec. 31 deadline for residents of the Farmhouse to move out, citing the probable cold weather at the time. Councilmember Hudson Hornick thought the deadlines were too tight also, while John Sanchez (who incidentally was on remote from Nottingham, England), suggested the Farmhouse could get an extension and noted that his son had stayed there at one point.

Ultimately, council moved to approve first reading, but with the ameneded dates of April 1, 2026 (instead of Dec. 31), to vacate the motel, and Oct. 31, 2026 (instead of June 30, 2026) to be moved into other affordable housing. The motion passed 3-1 with Sanchez dissenting.

In other business:

The City Council approved a $48,800 outlay to the upcoming Buellton Theatre Project, a 14-week theatre arts program that will culminate in a performance of the Broadway musical “Annie.”

City Manager Scott Wolfe introduced the item because the original choice, Allison Firey of Buellton Parks and Rec, will be a volunteer on the project and recused herself. In fact, it was Firey who made the presentation to council, noting that her love of performing was inspired by being in a production of “Annie” as a child. Council passed the item 4-0, with Hornick calling the proposal “awesome.”

After the approval last month of Hundred Hills School operating on the Willemsen site by the library for up to five years, council discussed initiating the process of investigating possible uses for the Dairyland Road parcels once the school finds another permanent location in Buellton and leave it temporary site. If approved the council would then appoint two members of council to appoint an ad hoc committee to lead the effort.

While three of the councilmembers backed the idea, Sanchez opposed it, citing animosity in the debate over the school’s location, and said they should let the school settle in at the site before thinking about a replacement. “Let the school have its time there. Put it off for a year,” he said.

However, Lewis believed that with the complaints during the HHS debate about the lack of transparency and notification on the proposal, the council needs engage with the public early. “Getting ahead of future project, being proactive would benefit city more,” she said. “Also it would be a show of faith to public.”

Interestingly, when the council decided there was a consensus to go forward with the committee, Sanchez immediately volunteered to serve on the committee. However, Wolfe believed that the Distict 1 representative, Hornick, should serve along with Mayor Silva. Silva and Hornick agreed and were voted as the ad hoc committee by a 3-1 vote, Sanchez dissenting.

The City Council will not meeting on the next scheduled Thursday, Aug. 28, and will return to session on Thursday, Sept. 11.

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The Solvang City Council culminated a busy Monday, Aug. 11, regular meeting by directing staff to draft a new ordinance focused on short-term rentals (STRs) in the city in an effort to limiting them to the Village Mixed-Use zone. The council on this evening was just four members, with Councilmember Claudia Orona absent.

During the meeting, the council also voted to change how the city handles retirement benefits, discussed plans for the upcoming Julefest Christmas celebration and next year’s Wine County Half-Marathon.

Back in March, the City Council had directed city staff to begin revisions to the City’s short-term rental (also known as vacation rental) ordinance, which would include a framework of an ordinance for further input from the City Council and residents.

Planning Development Director Rafael Castillo in giving his report, said the main objective of the ordinance is determining where the rental (which by definition are homes where people reside for 30 days or less) was where the council would allow the STRs in the city.

Currently, the areas in the city zoned for STRs are the Village Mixed-Use Area (VMA), and some lots in the R-3 zone of the city, along Copenhagen Drive, east of Fifth Street. Castillo said staff recommend that the STRs be limited to the Village Mixed-Use Area only.

Residents who spoke in Public Comment agreed the STRs should be kept in the VMU area. Dennis Beebe said the council needs to make the VMU boundaries “explicitly defined,” along with the limits for STRs. C.J. Jackson and Aaron Peterson reiterated their views that city’s should not allow STRs in residential areas. “Have a nice neighborhood and put in transient people is not something we should not consider,” Peterson said. “Hotels basically are vacation rentals.”

Although the council was on board with limiting the rentals to the VMU area, Councilmember Elizabeth Orona did remind her colleagues of the importance of tourists and visitors, including those using STRs, to the city’s economy, and wondered if there could be a way to allow them outside the VMU with further conditions like caps, allowed usage, and a minimum distance betweens STRs.

However, Councilmember Mark Infanti said his problem was with the “outside the VMU part of that,” and Mayor David Brown agreed the rentals should be focused within the VMU.

“I’m not sure the juice is worth the squeeze — doing the entire city,” Brown said. “If we can limit it to Village we’ll be OK, outside that, there would be lots of problems.”

Castillo then suggested the compromise of limiting STRs outside the VMU to “homestays” where the property owner would have to be present, Mayor David Brown also favored limiting them downtown.

Castillo and staff were directed to draft an ordinance limiting the STRs to the VMU, but adding the possiblity of allowing the homestays outside the VMU and listing the conditions of them. Castillo said the draft could be presented at the next meeting in September.

In other business:

The council voted 4-0 to move its city employees retirement plan from the management of CalPERS to that of the Public Agencies Post-Employment Benefits Trust administered by Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

Administrative services director Wendy Berry introduced Rachel Sanders from PARS to make a presentation on the program to the council. Sanders said benefits of the program would be complete local control over assets, pension rates stabilization, establishment of a “Rainy Day Fund,” and more diversification

The plan would see the city’s retirement fund go into two “buckets” — a Pension bucket and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) bucket —, require a plan adminstrator, and would be subject to annual reviews or more frequents reviews, if desired. It also gives the city the option of active and passive approaches to investments within the plan.

The council approved the item, along with an add-on to add language that council will select strategy and annually review the strategy.

Solvang Marketing and Events Coordinator Candice Libera addressed the council on two discussion items, one regarding plans for this year’s Julefest Celebration in December, and next May’s Wine Country Half Marathon.

She first spoke on the half-marathon, which has run in Solvang every Mother’s Day weekend since 2008, and draws approximately 2,500 participants plus their friends and families, Libera said. However, she also said that there were complaints about restricted access to businesses with the race’s finish line on Copenhagen Drive, as well as concerns about litter and damage to the grass at Solvang Park, where the post-race gathering is held. Libera said that changes would be made to the race course, placing the finish line at a new location that wouldn’t inhibit access to merchants, and measures would be taken to mitigate the litter and placement of equipment at the park to protect the grass.

She also said advertising and promotional materials would more prominently feature the Solvang name, another point of contention.

For the Julefest, Libera said that the city was close to a deal to bring in snow at some point during the monthlong celebration, and with consideration for traffic and safety on Copenhagen Drive, the street would be closed to vehicles between Alisal Road and 1st Street for the entire Julefest and the light diplay at Solvang Park would be expanded.

Libera said options to address parking concerns were being looked at, including the opening of Lot 72 east of Alisal Road for additional parking.

The City Council will take a scheduled break, with no meeting on Aug. 25, and will next meet on Monday, Sept. 8.

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In most of my articles, you’ll hear me recommending herbs to pair with acupuncture in order to treat or cure a problem. In this article I’d like to elaborate a bit on how herbs work and why they are so effective, using war as an analogy.

When there is a problem in the body — such as knee pain — we can consider that the body is at war with something in the problematic area. If our body is a country and we use World War II as an example, we can assume that the Axis has infiltrated our knee. The Allied forces need to overtake the enemy, but to do so, there has to be a secure battle strategy (diagnosis). In order to develop this plan, we must know what the terrain of the area is like in order to send out the appropriate forces and equipment. Is it mountainous? Is it surrounded by ocean? Is it a desert landscape? What is the climate like? Hot or cold? Dry or damp? What weaponry is being used? All of these indications need to be accounted for in order to devise the best plan of attack.

The herbs serve as our soldiers. Some soldiers are stronger than others. Some are armed with guns, while others have tanks, missiles, or other explosives. Knowing what you’re fighting and where the fighting is taking place indicates which soldiers to send out.

Oriental medicine is like the strategists. To win the war, you need all the enemy’s information you can acquire to form the best strategy. Then you need the ideal weapons and equipment to attack the enemy, win the war, and return the country to peacetime. Oriental medicine is also used to maintain peacetime and avoid situations of battle; we refer to this as preventative medicine.

Western medicine has a very different approach. Often, to win the war, they skip the strategic battle and go directly to dropping an atom bomb (surgery). In this instance, the war might be over, but the land has now been altered and is no longer in its natural state. Life in this area is now forever changed.

Once a proper diagnosis (battle strategy) is made, I prescribe the various herbs that will win the war but leave the terrain intact, just as it was found before the fighting began. Some herbs are stronger than others, some are beneficial to a specific organ, and some increase or decrease an element or “weather” issue. Having the correct strategy tells me if herbs are needed to eliminate heat, dampness, dryness, etc., or which organ needs aid.

My herbs are very high quality, cleaned, and boiled together to extract the essence of each. As a master herbalist, I design the mix and have them created especially for me, tailored to the individual constitutions as well as the patient’s needs. I primarily use liquid herbs, as they are distributed throughout the body quickly and easily. I prefer them over capsules of powdered herbs because pills are slower to disperse and can often end up being wasted by the body more than they are used. Just think of herbs like a prescription that a doctor gives you. You wouldn’t expect to get better if you didn’t take the medication he prescribes. It’s the same with herbs.

Nobody wants war, but unfortunately in most generations war is inevitable, both externally and internally (illness). Peace is always the best strategy, but should your own “country” start fighting, it’s good to know that you have access to the best military for proceeding to victory.

Dr. Lee’s office is located at 175 McMurray Road, Suite G, Buellton. Dr. Lee also has offices in Los Angeles and Paso Robles. To make an appointment, call (805) 693-5162 or (310) 666-8021.

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A Buellton Planning Commission item on the building of a proposed private elementary school consisting of “yurts,” or California Roundhouse buildings, on Dairyland Road, in the same area as the Buellton Library, ultimately led to a 2-2 vote from the commissioners, technically denying the project, during the Thursday, July 3, meeting.

However, Commission Chair Shannon Reese said near the end of the three-hour meeting that the proposal will end up going before the City Council at some point.

The item was put on the Planning Commission after members of the public voiced their concerns about the school during a town-hall meeting in June.

After City Manager Scott Wolfe introduced the item requested a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the project, Contract Planner Irma Tucker made a presentation for the proposal, called the Hundred Hills School Project.

Speaking by remote, Tucker explained the Hundred Hills School would be a Waldorf-inspired school serving preschool through the fourth grade. The campus, on the topmost portion of the Willemsen Property at 202, 208, 212, and 218 Dairyland Road, would consist of four classrooms, one administration building, and one restroom, all of the California Roundhouse building style, more commonly know as “yurts.”

Tucker said the school would originally serve a maximum of 50 students, and the length of approved for the CUP would not exceed five years.

“Mainly, this would be an incubator site,” she said. “They want to establish their school on this site while searching for a more permanent location. The temporary use would allow the site to return to original use.”

Applicant Sundeep Chanana thanked the supporters of the project and also the detractors, noting the “subset who go out of their way to disrupt our Saturday get-togethers, post anti-school flyers, and spread misinformation,” and requested they take him up on his offer to meet.

Chanana lauded the benefits of the school, calling it “an unparalled educational opportunity for Buellton and mentioned he and his wife had offered to pay the city the full cost of the five-year lease upfront but that the offer was refused.

He also addressed concerns stated by residents, saying that the topography of the site would be unchanged with only minimal grading; the structures to be built would have the longevity of stick-built homes; and there would be only one pickup and dropoff zone and that pickups and dropoffs would be staggered to mitigate traffic. He stated 40% of the schools applicants were from Buellton, with scholarships being offered to Buellton residents.

Fellow applicant Whitney Chanana, thanked their supporters for being there. She told the commission addressed the neighbors to the project and stated they had listened to their concerns about parking, traffic, and architectural compatibility during the earlier town hall meeting. She asked the Planning Commission to consider the project on its merits, and give students and parents in a city with one elementary another option.

After the applicants’ presentations and a short recess, the meeting reached public comment, which elicits contributions from 32 people on the record, 18 of them stating opposition.

Most of the objections came from residents of the surrounding neighborhood who believed there would be a negative impact with traffic and noise because of the school. Others did not like the idea of city-owned land being used for a private school. Former Buellton Mayor Holly Sierra, speaking strictly as a city residents, “The property was supposed to be for the people of Buellton. While I’m not against the school, it shouldn’t be on this property. It should be for the people of Buellton, not a private school.”

However, the project did also have supporters that spoke out at the meeting. Some of those who spoke in favor of Hundred Hills School noted the lack of options for students in early education, most notably preschool, while others praised other Waldorf schools and said it would be a great experience for Buellton children.

“It is good for Buellton to have another option,” Ralph Kunz said. “My kids went to a Waldorf school, and when they were in college, professors said what great kids we have and how they have a different way of thinking. It’s important to consider it’s not for everybody, but it’s an opportunity for people if they want it.”

After public comment, commissioners expressed their final thoughts on the item. Commissioner Kasey Kump said that listening to all the input, he felt the project just didn’t fit in with the neighborhood, emphasizing that the decision was not a judgement on alternative education or private schools in general. Meanwhile, Vice Chair Marcillo Sarquilla saidthat while traffic concerns could be mitigated by shuttling students to and from the school, he felt that Oak Valley Elementary School in Buellton was adequately providing the needed services for preschool and kindergarten students.

Commissioner Brian Campbell was concerned that the project came as a surprise to many residents, but felt there were merits to both sides of the issue, while Chair Shannon Reese said that while she liked the idea of a small town like Buellton having just one school that everyone went to, she felt the project was appropriate for the zone, noting that uses such as schools and churches are routinely places in residential infill zones. She states she lives next to Jonata School, which is much larger and also uses collector streets, and she doesn’t find it has an adverse impact. 

Ultimately the commission voted twice, both times Sarquilla moving for disapproval, and both times resulting in a 2-2 deadlock with Sarquilla and Kump voted to disapprove, and Campbell and Reese voting not to disapprove. Wolfe announced that the vote actually meant the CUP was denied and the matter would go next to the City Council.

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As of July 1, several new California laws are now in effect, ushering in changes that touch on everything from consumer rights and student mental health to workplace protections and gas taxes. 

Easier Subscription Cancellations

Consumers will now find it simpler to cancel subscription services thanks to Assembly Bill 2863, which requires businesses to offer the same cancellation method used to initiate the subscription. The law aims to reduce frustration over hard-to-navigate cancellation systems, a common complaint among Californians.

Short-Term Rental Fee Transparency

For those booking vacation homes, AB 2202 now mandates that platforms like Airbnb disclose all cleaning fees and penalties before a reservation is made. Hosts must also clearly list cleaning tasks expected of guests, ensuring greater transparency and fewer surprise charges.

Mental Health Resources for Students

Under Senate Bill 1063, all public schools serving grades 7 through 12 must print the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and a QR code linking to county-specific mental health resources on student ID cards. This change is part of a broader effort to support youth mental health and prevent suicide.

CARE Act Transparency

New updates to the CARE Act, which provides court-ordered treatment for individuals struggling with mental health, require courts to keep petitioners informed about the individual’s treatment progress. The law, originally passed in 2022, seeks to provide compassionate care while maintaining accountability and oversight.

Retail Theft and Online Marketplaces

Cracking down on retail theft, AB 2943 and SB 905 increase penalties for crimes like vehicle break-ins when items are intended for resale. Additionally, online marketplaces must now verify the identity of third-party sellers and report suspicious activity to law enforcement, a response to growing concerns over stolen goods being sold online.

Bar Safety Enhancements

Bars across the state must now offer drink lids upon request and post signage warning patrons of drink spiking. Signs must read:

“Don’t get roofied! Drink lids and drink spiking drug test kits available here. Ask a staff member for details.”

New Protections for Domestic Workers

With the passage of SB 1350, domestic workers — such as nannies and house cleaners hired through agencies — are now covered under Cal/OSHA workplace protections. However, the law does not apply to individuals who hire household help directly for personal use.

Gas and Cannabis Tax Adjustments

The state’s gas tax has increased from 59.6 cents to 61.2 cents per gallon, part of an annual inflation adjustment. Cannabis taxes have also been adjusted, though specifics vary by locality.

Minimum Wage Hikes in Select Cities

Several California cities, including Los Angeles, have raised their minimum wage as of July 1. Local rates now exceed the state minimum, which remains at $16 per hour, depending on the size of the business.

Other Key Changes:

• Pet Insurance Transparency: Insurers must now explain premium increases and reductions in coverage to policyholders.
• Fertility Treatment Coverage: Most insurance plans are now required to cover fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF).
• Food Delivery ID Requirements: Delivery platforms must provide customers with a photo and the first name of their delivery person.
• Bounty Hunter Licensing: AB 2043 mandates that all bail fugitive recovery agents — commonly known as bounty hunters — must be licensed in California.

For full details on how these laws may impact you, visit the California Legislature’s website or contact your local city or county government.

The post New California laws effective July 1 appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

By Mike Chaldu

michael@santaynezvalleystar.com

In a marathon meeting on Thursday, July 10, the Buellton City Council approved a water- and sewer-rate increase, its first since 2016.

The increase came after a process that began in 2024, when the City Council approved the contract for the Water and Wastewater Rate Study with Willdan Financial. The water and wastewater rate study provides a comprehensive analysis that will ensure that the cost of service will not exceed either the cost of providing the service or the proportional cost of the service attributable to a particular parcel.

The prior formal rate studies were completed in 2016 and 1996, with a small increase in 2016. The city’s operational costs for both water and wastewater have not been sustained through the existing rate structure and have required transfers from those fund reserves. As part of the study, staff worked closely with Willdan Financial and had several meetings with the Rate Committee, consisting of Mayor David Silva, Councilmember Hudson Hornick, and staff, to ensure that the direction of the study and the growth projections and financial assumptions were sound. The Final Water and Wastewater Rate Study (Exhibit A) includes a detailed analysis, including cost of service allocation, of how the rates were calculated.

The City Council passed over Willdan’s recommended rate increase schedule, which called for steep increases starting on Aug. 1, in favor of a schedule that, while costing more in the long run, delayed the first increase until Nov. 1. In the meantime, council directed staff to find way to get supplemental income to help increase the reserve water and sewer funds.

Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis was the first to suggest the Alternative 2 schedule, calling it more “compassionate” and instituting a more gradual increase over five years for the ratepayers.

“I like the idea of stretching it out, the idea of incremental increases, even with more to pay in the long run, it gives us a runway. It doesn’t come as a shock to the system,” Lewis said.

Hornick agreed with that assessment, and pointed out it comes after years of no rate increase.

“It puts everyone on notice,” he said about the Nov. 1 date. “We’re letting them know, we had a great run, but now it’stime to pay the piper.”

The item passed on a 3-1 vote, with Councilmember John Sanchez opposing.

“I want to use the recommended schedule and get these rates in,” Sanchez said before the vote. “We’ve been talking about how we are in this mess because councils didn’t install any increases in the past, and now we’re going to delay it three more months.”

With the approval, starting on Nov. 1, rate payers can expect an increase from the current $101.72 per month to $135.63. After that, the rates will go up each year through 2030, when the rate will increase to $214.35. City Manager Scott Wolfe reminded council that the rates will be reviewed and can be lowered on a year-by-year basis.

City Manager Scott Wolfe and City Attorney Greg Murphy held off on discussion of the item because, as part of the Proposition 218 process of review, city ratepayers had an opportunities to submit written protests of the increase thatwould have delayed the agenda. However, only 97 protests were submitted, well short of the 1,084 required, which represented 50% + 1 of the Buellton ratepayers.

The item brought in several speakers during Public Comment, all of whom were unhappy with the increase, thoughsome admitted it was needed.

“I understand it needs to happen, but it’s a hard pill to swallow,” said Troy Morehouse. “Ninety-three percent in 35 days, and next year 171 percent [quoting the orginal rate schedule that wasn’t adopted]? That’s ridiculous.”

Morehouse also took to task the failure of past City Council to implement more reasonable increases in the past decade, saying the current council was “asking us to pay for the sins of our fathers.”

Daniel Durbiano also opposed the original rate hike, though he understood the tough spot the councilmembers were in.

“I’ve spent 22 years in public works, so I have intimate knowledge of this,” he said. “This is one of the most contentious things a City Council has to deal with. I’m for an increase but not like this. Don’t ask us to take this balloon payment.Do it a little more compassionate.”

Fortunately, councilmembers did take the suggestions for a more gradual increase, and staff is expected to provide suggestions for supplemental revenue to replenish the water fund at a later meeting, probably in September.

The City Council meets next on Thursday, July 24, at 6 p.m.

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Now entering its sixth month of operation in its new location on Dairyland Road, the Buellton Library was the topic of discussion during the Buellton City Council meeting on Thursday, June 26. Or, that is, the conference rooms in the facility.

Both business items on the meeting agenda concerned the two conference rooms in the library building: Meeting Room 1, which is next to the main entrance and being used mostly by the Friends of the Buellton Library as a used-book store, and Meeting Room 2, which is located next to the main section of the library, and looks out on the south lawn and patio.

The first business item dealt with guidelines for potential rental opportunities for the rooms. City staff put together a draft room rental application for review by council. Public Works Director Rose Hess said the sample application was based on the templates from CJPIA, the City’s insurance and risk management agency, as well as applications from other similar publicly owned rental facilities in the area, and staff was seeking input on the rules and regulations, hours of availability, and rental fees contained in the document.

Councilmember Hudson Hornick started off council questions asking about the possible noise coming from the room if the room was rented out for a party. The application banned “amplified music” in the room, but allowed bluetoothspeakers, which Hornick had an issue with, saying that bluetooth speakers are just as loud as regular speakers.

Councilmember John Sanchez inquired about providing trash receptacles for big events, and how they would dispose of it. Hess said any trash could be stored away for eventual weekly pickup from the county.

However, a big sticking point with the entire council was the proposed rental fees for the rooms. The sample application quoted prices of $500 per hour to rent the space for Buellton residents or business ($1,000 for out-of-towners) and a $1,000 cleaning deposit. All the councilmembers thought that as too high, with Mayor David Silva noting that nearby River View Park charges $40 per hour with a $100 deposit. Hess said the prices were based on rental costs in other cities and municipalities, but could be changed.

From there, councilmembers also speculated about what kind of events should be held in the conference rooms. While parties were discussed earlier as possiblities for the space, Silva expressed his desire for the rooms to be used for groups’ community meetings.

“We have River View Park, with space and playgrounds to accomodate those kinds of events,” the mayor said. “I don’tthink a birthday party lends itself for library purposes.”

Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis agreed, saying, “The library I envision more for professional meetings; the park is more designed for kids to go crazy and have fun.”

City Manager Scott Wolfe told county that he and Hess could “tighten up” the application with more specific guidelines reflecting the council’s input, and they could submit a revised application for a future meeting.

The second business item dealt specifically with Meeting Room 1, which has been used by the Friends of the Buellton Library, mostly as a used-book store to raise funds for the organization, and, in turn, the library.

The original plan, as explained by Wolfe, was to devote most of the room space to FOBL, and partition off the other part to create a smaller conference room. However, FOBL has used the remaining part of the room as a children’s “play area” with toys and games, and would like to keep the room open with the entire space belonging to FOBL.

During public comment, Former Buellton Mayor and County Library Advisory Board Member Judith Dale requested that a wall not be put in.

“I’m very against building the wall,” she said. “A wall can structurally interfere with the room, and really limits what can go on.”

Speakers Ashley Sloan and other former Buellton mayor, Holly Sierra, who’s now FOBL president, echoed Dale’sthoughts, with Sierra saying FOBL would be happy to offer the space if someone requested it for a meeting.

The four councilmembers were in agreement opposing a wall in the room, with Silva saying the $15,000 it would cost for installation were better spent elsewhere.

Since it wasn’t an actionable item, Wolfe said he would bring a request to keep the room intact and under the autonomy of the FOBL and put that on a future meeting agenda.

The City Council will meet next on Thursday, July 10, at 6 p.m.

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The Solvang City Council voted to extend its agreement with the City of Goleta to operate the city’s library, despite a greatly increased cost, during its regular meeting on Monday, June 23. Councilmember Elizabeth Orona was absent from the meeting.

In introducing the item, the first discussion item of the night, City Manager Randy Murphy explained the library situation in his report.

Goleta has been operating the library since 2019, when Santa Barbara County divested itself of that responsibility. The libraries operated by Goleta (considered the county’s Library Zone 4) include its own, Solvang’s, Buellton’s, and the ones in the unincorporated areas of Santa Ynez and Los Olivos.

The current five-year agreement for library management was set to expire June 30, one week after the meeting, and Murphy recommended council approve the deal for another year, albeit at a sizable increase: $284,855, which would bea nearly $100,000 hike from the previous agreement.

“We’ve been working under an agreement where they didn’t have any inflators [to increase the price], and they’ve been a good partner,” Muphy said. “Our finance staff has been in discussion with their finance staff, and have determined that this is a legitimate amount.”

Murphy also pointed out that the $284,855 amount was in the budget that the council had approved earlier in the meeting as part of the Consent Calendar.

However, councilmembers had their concerns about the larger price tag.

“A hundred thousand dollars, that’s a big nut,” Mayor David Brown said. “That’s almost a 50% increase; I’m trying to justify it.”

Goleta Director on Neighborhood Services Joanne Plummer, whose department includes the libraries explained earlier that both Goleta and Solvang had the right to renegotiate terms after each year, but during the first five years a number of factors hindered that.

“Right after the first agreement started, we had COVID, and after that there were changes in the leadership on both sides, and the sides were only recently able to get together and talk about another agreement,” she said.

Plummer said in the last five years, the libraries were working under increased costs under the same budget and operating at a loss.

“The last few years, we’ve been taking money out of reserves, and operating in the red,” she said. “We can’t keep operating under the current terms; we need to increase the cost.”

Councilmember Mark Infanti noted that Solvang’s library space is too small and asked who would foot the bill if the city found a bigger space to move into. 

“The city (of Solvang) would cover the cost of moving into a new facility,” Plummer said. “We would need to review the new space and determine what staffing would be sufficient, so there could be an increase there.”

Councilmembers Claudia Orona and Louise Smith both expressed the need for more information about the libraries, with Orona inquiring about staff size and the number of visitors to the Solvang Library, as well as the satellite locations in Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. Smith mentioned that libraries are offering numerous services other than just books, and wanted to know what the Solvang location had to offer in that area. Plummer said that could be found in the libaries’annual report.

Murphy reiterated that he felt the agreement was fair.

“The finance staff pored over this and determined it’s a legitimate increase,” he said. “The only way to cut expenses, is we could cut hours, but we’re already not open on Sundays and Mondays. I recommend approving it now to keep the library open.”

Eventually, Infanti, who serves on the city’s Library Committee, move to approve the contract, with Smith seconding, but not before Brown requested a report on the library’s progress in the future. Plummer assured council that was in the agreement and she could return in October for that report.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the agreement.

In other council business:

In a public hearing, the council unanimously adopted a resolution amending the appropriation limit for fiscal year 2025-26 to $26,362,892 for the General Fund. The number was determined by a calculation called Growth Factor that took into account per capita personal income and population change.

However, City Attorney Chelsea O’Sullivan reminded that notice of the public hearing was posted on June 12, 11 days before the meeting when the requirement for it to be posted is 15 days prior. Because of that, the item would remain for public review until the next could meeting, and it could be ratified then.

Council unanimously approved a agreement with SaberDome Corporation dba Lanspeed for information technology managed services in the amount not to exceed $7,937.72 per month plus any reimbursable expenses and service charges actually incurred and invoiced, for a total contract amount not to exceed $105,252.64.

Staff recommended the renewel with based on past experience, cost and software.

The City Council will next meet on Monday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m.

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Beginning in July, the Clean Air Express fares will be:

• Monthly Pass: $170 (up from $160)
• 10-Ride Ticket Book: $57 (up from $54)
• Single Trip Cash Fare: $8 (up from $7)

Passengers using the Tap to Ride contactless payment system will continue to receive discounted fares: 

• Single Trip via Tap to Ride: $7 (always $1 less than the cash fare)
• Daily Fare Cap: $11.40 (equal to the cost of two one-way trips using a 10-ride ticket)

This marks the second of three annual fare increases approved by the SBCAG Board of Directors in December 2023. The phased approach is designed to give riders time to adjust while maintaining the service’s quality and reliability.

“Fare increases are never easy,” said SBCAG Director of Multimodal Programs, Aaron Bonfilio. “We’ve taken a phased approach to help riders gradually adjust while ensuring the Clean Air Express remains the dependable, high-quality service they count on.”

Bonfilio emphasized that public transit remains cost-competitive when compared to the rising expenses of owning and operating a personal vehicle. “For many commuters, Clean Air Express is a smart financial decision – saving on gas, maintenance, and wear and tear – without the stress of driving every day.”

In addition to the fare adjustments, SBCAG has introduced upgrades to improve the rider experience, including the Tap to Ride contactless payment system that makes it easier to pay and track fares. The Clean Air Express also expanded its service in April with the addition of midday trips, offering riders more flexibility. The new schedule has been well-received by passengers seeking options beyond traditional morning and evening commutes.

For more information about Clean Air Express, visit www.cleanairexpress.com, email info@cleanairexpress.com, or call (805) 692-1902.

The next and final fare adjustment as part of this series will occur in July 2026. 

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