[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6169400,"mediaKeyId","5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427","parentId",5404447,"title","Council sends Lompoc Chamber contract back to staff for rework after members question scope, performance and accounting","audioSeconds",5082,"startMs",3316000,"endMs",8398000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427&start=3316&end=8398","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427/thumbnail_3316000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6169400/Lompoc/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Council-sends-Lompoc-Chamber-contract-back-to-staff-for-rework-after-members-question-scope-performance-and-accounting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169400-e6460f1c0d2a7bd32926629e64875d55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001020&Signature=HpH~w~GJ371bQDPakaP68akI8jGwP8F9ETC0qQWjUoXwDFSr-EsqTZBPrX1wXYi-~HQ5~wHtBzSatqX2RC4U5MXaznEdOKX07R4ppiqALfWTdC7REavKgmp3bahmK4bAeE1HCz2Q4qeqVw7VS73yU4fgEFXKHv3Rpo8sM49mBF83keVwNA9EXEoiZH7pBBlySXJ4kxxeOodJ1C7qy959ggzu8BTp8BOeWAIeUG-b0JK1AYTti15-IChZ3rPIGu-kvXoRYRyQzYIshnKTuAbigBth0CE537wwYdk5Lrc9~LfYbfRLiu-pR6MyhXoJixRQG03htmDnKcyMEC7G--zlWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lompoc CA","date","2025-07-16T15:43:56Z","article","The City Council on July 15 directed staff to rework a proposed contract with the Longpoc Valley Chamber of Commerce after multiple councilors raised concerns about scope, measurable performance and whether the city’s funding matched the tasks the contract requires.

Council member Steve Bridge presented a redlined version of a contract he said would be executable within the city’s budget and would focus the chamber on economic development tasks rather than duplicating marketing or services performed by other organizations. “I think there’s clauses in here that provide members benefits, and I don’t think that’s the intent,” Bridge said during deliberations.

Council members questioned the chamber’s capacity to deliver services with current staff and volunteer levels and asked for clearer key performance indicators. Bridge asked staff to ensure the contract does not contain items the chamber cannot perform for the proposed $108,000 annual city contribution and requested a requirement that the chamber deliver a clearer, itemized budget and KPIs.

Staff and councilors also discussed the chamber’s building hours and whether the chamber can commit to a minimum open-door schedule; several councilors said the building should be open regularly. Council members suggested some tourism promotion tasks are better handled by other organizations and recommended narrowing the city contract to a distinct set of city-priority deliverables.

Council voted to send the contract back to staff to negotiate revisions and return a draft that aligns scope and measurable outcomes with the city’s funding. The vote on moving the contract revision direction passed (council vote recorded as four in favor, one opposed). Council also discussed requiring the chamber to provide audited or reviewed financials before or in parallel with any new contract, noting staff had not received audited financial statements for recent years.

Staff said they had been negotiating redlines with the chamber and would continue that process; staff also said they will seek the chamber’s detailed budget and itemized expenses as part of the follow-up work. Councilors asked staff to return with a revised agreement that sets clear performance metrics, clarifies which activities the city expects the chamber to perform and identifies whether city seed funding should be conditional on audited financial statements or other compliance steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lompoc City Council 7 15 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members on July 15 directed staff to rework the proposed city contract with the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce, asking for clearer, measurable deliverables and a scope aligned to available funding.","taxTitle","Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California","taxId",56202,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169405,"Council accepts Visit Lompoc annual report after directing staff to obtain financial records",7504,2666000,10170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427&start=2666&end=10170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427/thumbnail_2666000.jpg","/articles/6169405/Lompoc/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Council-accepts-Visit-Lompoc-annual-report-after-directing-staff-to-obtain-financial-records","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169405-93bf86b696e9bf0bf4b1be07faeb6576/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001020&Signature=gGTrLt6l7IC7QhIIazIaEILA6X3z4cdJ6x-ML0QJuCnVDz4nYbIxyGZJKzncgwl6uu-ivdGY-BlDBfHbhqOB9005Y6aCUxUkn0D-B6Jk7GHWALeJU8YWgfQ3cRmPtMwX8SoR8L83JXsEeoRkZRlA8XjV0grxfXJagfL2SnUo37tkM6ZBKMh14JUKJvuEju~7QKR4WyKBnL17ogY6H6mD3SLZVLu38q6i1OEfrmSKhABkj6FAGq2P3REr8F-q~88P9mywMzOI3YCCIsFE6NkL5DE7gVSxjc9aM46AZ6hLXzU9crWUlzutuI-9GXTapW6pS6~8OtSmpu1h5wRmFuaEGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on July 15 accepted the annual report for the Lompoc Tourism Improvement District (TBID) but added a direction for staff to obtain Visit Lompoc’s financial records for contract compliance review.

The council’s action followed public comment raising concerns about Visit Lompoc Inc.’s accounting and a county grand jury review. A public speaker cited differences in how Visit Lompoc reports “carryover” and asked for an independent financial audit. Gilda Aiello, representing Visit Lompoc, urged the council to accept the annual marketing report; she said the organization already provided the financials to the city’s finance division.

At the meeting the city attorney clarified the legal limits and options. “The council can direct city staff to engage an auditing firm to undertake an independent financial audit of Visit Lompoc,” the attorney said, but the city cannot compel Visit Lompoc itself to commission an audit. The attorney also noted that the TBID annual report the council was reviewing must comply with state TBID law; that required annual report is distinct from an independent audit or certified financial statements.

Council discussion focused on transparency and the documents the city already may request under the TBID management agreement. The contract’s sections 10.1 and 10.2 require Visit Lompoc to “maintain full and complete records” and allow inspection by designated city officials. City staff told the council they have received summarized balance-sheet and profit-and-loss information for reconciliation but had not received full itemized receipts and vendor-level detail for recent years.

Councilor [name withheld per transcript attribution rules] moved that staff exercise the contract inspection rights in sections 10.1–10.2 and obtain receipts and expenditures for review; the motion was seconded and the council voted 5–0 to accept the annual report while directing staff to obtain the records. Staff said records obtained under the contract can be inspected by city officials and will be available to the public through city records processes.

The council did not order an independent audit at the meeting, but several council members said an audit remains an option if the document inspection raises questions. Staff told the council that Visit Lompoc told them it had attempted to obtain an independent audit previously but had difficulty securing a CPA firm; the contract requires a full audit every four years and an accounting review in alternating years.

The acceptance of the annual report and the direction to staff are intended to address transparency concerns without immediately ordering a formal paid audit, officials said.","After public objections and questions about accounting, the City Council accepted the Lompoc Tourism Improvement District annual report but directed staff to exercise contract inspection rights to obtain Visit Lompoc’s receipts and expenditures for review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169410,"City Council hears presentation on new electric distribution model to analyze future loads and resilience",442,223000,665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427&start=223&end=665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427/thumbnail_223000.jpg","/articles/6169410/Lompoc/Santa-Barbara-County/California/City-Council-hears-presentation-on-new-electric-distribution-model-to-analyze-future-loads-and-resilience","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169410-5096b26e2d3864d01d89a224f9c5dcc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001020&Signature=RYk6bG~m3Le9gTtrR2T3cvKnBTAXNTgIgZLR-zxnvqApzLckb3FlXPcMXfW4uQuAo0A5FnLmbIetKsDQPlIjrH7V8F9UJ9eJFJkk79BKn7WQ-O6M3dR69hhxFusiwrRABxl03DmjKKgze2VKAMOxAsfJmKuHUSOA9g2-zRzi5yA2uYLqtOgHb69GmSQFMwWwlW8mriaC~T0ucu-KScOQQoS8~2Vf0n5WISRXdXBaQQ0Foy4QMn3YGVk~botuAk9n0P87EyZx7mptb3EPVi0-UdPeUP8jHespNjn6NUSdSuUZ4fVOPvu4WLmWvt82t2kDXwvXtAQjIAo25XVi1zu3mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City leaders on July 15 heard a presentation from Colas LLC on a new electric distribution model designed to simulate the city’s distribution network and support planning for future loads and reliability. The consultants said the model will be used to test current conditions and project changes two, six and 20 years into the future.

The consultants told the City Council why the model is needed and how staff will use it. “The purpose … is used to simulate the electric distribution system,” said John McMurray of Colas LLC. He said the tool ties a geospatial data set — wires, transformers, switches and other equipment — into a load-flow simulation that can reveal overloaded equipment, voltage and phasing issues and other conditions.

City and consultant officials said the model will allow staff to run scenarios before investing in equipment. “If there’s an overloaded transformer,” consultant Corey Sandvin said, “what you do is you go, you replace it with the next size bigger. But maybe in 3 years, you gotta replace that transformer again. The purpose of the model is to evaluate your forecast to see if maybe the next size isn’t really what you wanted to install.”

The consultants described several near-term analysis tasks. They said they will study specific connection requests, such as an 800-kilowatt rooftop system proposed for a local Walmart, and examine harmonics, inverter interactions and whether filters or other mitigations will be required. McMurray said the utility’s peak load is about 22 megawatts and the Walmart array would be “less than a half a megawatt” at typical output, so the immediate local effect is small but not negligible.

Council members asked about ownership and maintenance. Mike Luther, the city’s utility director, confirmed the city will host its own instance of the subscription software. McMurray said the software is subscription-based and that the city would hold its own version; he estimated the subscription at $30,000 a year and the consultant effort to build the initial model at roughly $7,000–$9,000.

Councilors also asked about resiliency and collaboration with Vandenberg Space Force Base. McMurray said Colas has met with Vandenberg’s electrical staff and with a consultant working for the base and that the model can test scenarios such as extending the grid to take additional large loads (including a potential prison load) or siting a new substation.

Staff said two city machines now have the software installed and training for city employees has begun; consultants said the city should reload GIS updates roughly once or twice per year and that staff can maintain the model after training. McMurray described the model as a tool for operational planning, reliability analysis and planning for gradually increasing electrification driven by state policy.

Councilors asked follow-up questions about how the model accounts for equipment age and how it can reduce line losses by balancing phases. Consultants said the model’s primary inputs are equipment configuration and loading; if asset-age data are provided they can be included in reliability or life-cycle analyses. The consultants also said the model can show optimal switching actions to reduce outage durations.

The council did not take a formal vote on the presentation. Staff said they would distribute the list of planned new loads to council members, and the consultants said they would email the full 14-page project list to city staff for distribution.","Consultants from Colas LLC outlined a geospatial electric grid model the city will use to simulate loading, test scenarios including large solar interconnections and electrification, and plan short- and long-term upgrades. Staff said the city will host the model and train personnel; subscription and build costs were discussed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169390,"City updates council on multi-phase riverbed encampment cleanup; next zone planned for August",168,1933000,2101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427&start=1933&end=2101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427/thumbnail_1933000.jpg","/articles/6169390/Lompoc/Santa-Barbara-County/California/City-updates-council-on-multi-phase-riverbed-encampment-cleanup-next-zone-planned-for-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169390-cd2e376b3e9668506ad7002bfc775e08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001020&Signature=oMnoPLRfBa0RuyWFjeedHP6WnaGQrZdoj2rZIfDYz4HmqQ098P5D9dkaNCgh2h-YPocC2sLA0SfbMaTIpvJFKW-ZHKYK3lMhux5pVdurOgvSVeVMjUoB5Qr0yYQubZvCvOF~wNyQAHk-JKVMEMpluqPH3hzOJIPyd7mVaO40vJyxuExFO86ovdCJO1KnngHZBeh9ec0RzLJvpuyHsDmMI8hDuGhbrZWdI4P74LYDSCZcPygXoIAJRzhQBGFCd3IN4xmITg5X9mKVcNMoZ7fY3s1UrjRgcW9lOmrcOaPK~HRVCXw7Y-fraeq4mILLuaBrh9fzRcxrrNXd2NszMNsRSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the council on July 15 that the multistage riverbed encampment cleanup has cleared most areas in phases 1–4 and that Phase 5 work is planned for August and possibly September.

“Phases 3 and 4… about 30 overall, about 9 went into grama,” staff said in the presentation describing earlier work and outcome. A video played for the council showed cleared camps in earlier phases and containers staged in a later zone to support the cleanup work.

Staff said outreach to residents at encampments will continue as the city moves into Zone 5, which public materials shown at the meeting identified as areas east of Robinson Bridge and further downstream. The city manager and council members thanked allied agencies for on-the-ground support: county teams, the sheriff’s office, Lompoc Police Department, Good Samaritan and City Net were named in council remarks.

Councilors and staff emphasized continued outreach and follow-up as the next phase begins. The city manager said earlier phases were completed without using a large one-time draw on the water fund and credited regional partners and volunteer groups. Staff said Phase 5 will target smaller, hidden encampment areas where outreach and coordination are required.","City staff reported progress through phases 1–4 of a riverbed encampment cleanup and said phase 5 will be concentrated in August and possibly September. Officials credited multiple partner agencies for assistance and said outreach and container staging are part of preparations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169395,"Council adopts new transit fares and adds microtransit on evenings and Saturdays",762,4535000,5297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427&start=4535&end=5297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404447-46c3e5ebc403a761b2d093083e26b427/thumbnail_4535000.jpg","/articles/6169395/Lompoc/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Council-adopts-new-transit-fares-and-adds-microtransit-on-evenings-and-Saturdays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169395-800d8d0038fac5e9e430a3e17f72226e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001020&Signature=nGIuUUxmCCDuPYben4V6yhLvjpEwIWwOEklyqPBepRExnryv4jPLAJIAb85iVgR9iN3HsIumkba0854lf2H4kkcnS3vpkB9rnqDJO0Q~DzquEhauohv-yvwtOODoXCr8gD-B3Db5YHwk5FAm1OfXW0ysRP9JfKkoRAXhMGUHFUnPrwW8w2mTXX1-TuZVokaPvjR2oUKob4FNWHvJds3~EfXVYTNTZVF8e5d5ODvqXmOPGlBEwrsKLS8J7-IXMIqL08grjlej0pMwKNSWmgwHLDXLGmlcGjXMCtVhdLAPezZA12lRUULhenLPQYl8rxlPv72jdQm94MvBUEpEUeFS-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on July 15 adopted a revised fare schedule for the Lompoc Transit System and approved a new microtransit service for evenings and Saturdays intended to replace low-ridership late-night fixed-route runs.

Transit and airport administrator Mister Fernbaugh told the council the city last revised fares in February 2008 and that the action follows a yearlong study to redesign routes from circular to east–west cross-town alignments. He said the city will add an app-based payment option and a microtransit service that will be corner-to-corner, not door-to-door, in the evenings (roughly 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and all day on Saturdays.

Under the new structure discussed at the meeting, the on-demand microtransit single trip fare was presented as $4. Councilors asked how the program would be funded and whether it would compete with local taxis; Fernbaugh said transit grants and state and federal funds are primary revenue sources for the service and that microtransit will not be door-to-door taxi service. He said the city will initially use smaller city buses for the pilot and consider smaller vehicles after the service pattern is established.

Council member Victor Vega moved to approve the resolution to set new fares and service. The motion was seconded by Council member Pauls and passed 5–0.

Councilors discussed operating cost examples: staff said the microtransit contractor’s hourly rates are approximately $80 per vehicle hour, and councilors observed that break-even ridership would be much higher than the $4 fare would cover without subsidy. Fernbaugh said microtransit is a pilot approach intended to reduce inefficient empty bus runs while maintaining service during low-demand periods; he said federal and state grants typically subsidize transit operations.

Councilors also asked about the feasibility of extending evening hours (a public commenter suggested matching bar closing times); staff said schedules can be adjusted based on demand and that the pilot will be monitored.","The City Council approved a new fare schedule and an on-demand microtransit service for evenings and Saturdays as part of a reconfigured east-west route plan. Staff said the changes follow a yearlong study and will include an app-based payment option and pilot use of smaller vehicles; the vote was unanimous.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council sends Lompoc Chamber contract back to staff for rework after members question scope, performance and accounting

Council accepts Visit Lompoc annual report after directing staff to obtain financial records

City Council hears presentation on new electric distribution model to analyze future loads and resilience

City updates council on multi-phase riverbed encampment cleanup; next zone planned for August

Council adopts new transit fares and adds microtransit on evenings and Saturdays