Councilmembers also discuss direction of sign ordinance changes with planning manager

In a longer-than-usual regular meeting on Monday, May 28, the Solvang City Council heard from a dozen organizations asking for grant funds for fiscal year 2025-26, and also gave staff direction on changes for the city sign ordinance.

The meeting, which ran for 3 hours and 53 minutes, began with three proclamations, as the council honored retiring Sheriff’s Lt. (and de facto Police Chief) Mark Valencia, who is retiring, recognized Child Abuse Awareness and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and one on Drinking Water Week.

After a presentation from the city’s marketing consultants, and the consent calendar, Mayor David Brown asked to move up Discussion Item 8b up on the agenda, a motion the council unanimously passed.

Brown then recused himself because his wife was one of the people scheduled to request grant funds for her organization. Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Orona took over the gavel for the item as Brown stepped out.

Speaking on remote from Huntington Beach, City Administrator Wendy Berry gave the report for the grant requests and said the grant fund request period lasted from Feb. 1 to March 31, workshops on Feb. 19 and March 11 to help with the paperwork.

Berry said city staff received 12 grant-fund applications, but only four were actually complete. The city’s ad hoc committee gave a week’s extension to those applicants who didn’t have all the paperwork.

The applicants were called up one-by-one by City Manager Randy Murphy. The grant request were as follows:

Atterdag At-Home Meals on Wheels: Director Karen Brown said the program, which was nearly discontinued in 2016, delivered over 25,000 meals last year and the number of seniors to serve are growing. Atterdag is asking for $20,000.

Bethania Food Distribution: Linda Marzullo said the operation has been going on for five years, but food is still needed. Marzullo said she asked for $2,000 last year but will probably ask for more.

Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics: Lisa Palmer said the mission of the foundation to bring aquatics access to all of the Valley, and is looking to build new aquatics center. Her group has raised $1 million, goal is $13.7 million by end of 2026.

SYV Fruit and Vegetable Rescue: New Executive Erin Shugart looking for $10,000 grant for group that provides freshnutrient-rich food with minimal environmental impact.

SYV Historical Museum: Absent

SYV People Helping People: CEO Erica Flores asked for $15,000, saying Solvang is the heart of their operation. The group networks with family resource center to provide an emergency food pantry.

SYV Western Heritage Foundation: Kevin Murphy, president of nonprofit foundation formed to fund Santa Ynez Old Days rodeo and preserve ag and western heritage.

Solvang Chamber of Commerce: Linda Palmer, community outreach, asking $46,500 to fund new Solvang Safe program, which encourage businesses to help in emergency.

Danish Days: Co-Chair Cassandra Ferris, who organizes the Danish Days Festival said the nonprofit relies on donations from public and city and use sponsorship. President Thomas Birkhold said grant fund helps them add bathrooms, PAsystem, table and chair rentals. the number increased from 2,000 to 6,000. 

10. Rotary Club: Steve Palmer, Chairman of 4th of July parade with Valerie Kissell. “The 4th of July parade speaks for itself,” he said. 

11. Viking Charities: Car Show Chair Greg Wietzman car show chair seeks funding for Viking Car Show, asking for $3,000. He said he’s asking for less this year, while eliminating beer garden and food vendors.

Claudia Orona said council has received the requests have been received, and Murphy said the requests would go back to the ad hoc committee and be discussed again at the June 9 council meeting.

Later in the meeting, Planning and Building Manager Rafael Castillo addresses the council on Item 8d, on Modifications to the Sign Ordinance.

Castillo recounted how city staff was directed in November to do a workshop on new design standards and held a joint Planning Commission and Design Review Committee Workshop on March 13, to discuss six key items:

  • Objective Design Standards with the R-3 Lots and maintain control with DRC input over new projects.
  • Incorporation of a “Design Handbook” including the use of approved color palettes.
  • Use of A-frame Signs and Sandwich Board Signs within the Village/City.
  • Additional Temporary Signage
  • Use of Banner Signs in the Village
  • Elimination of Content Based Regulation and replacement with objective standards.

Castillo told council he was looking for direction on which of those items to start work on.

Councilmember Elizabeth Orona, however, asked why there was no progress on any of those items, and Castilloanswered that those items were established to come back and get direction over which took priority.

“Basically, I’m doing an overview, no redline changes,” he said. “we’re bringing the workshop to you and getting direction. We’re waiting to see if we get direction.”

Brown saw that and suggested Castillo concentrate on the A-frames and temporary sign to begin.

At the end, Murphy assured the council that they would properly be apprised of any changes in the future.

The next meeting for the Solvang City Council will be Monday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m.