Council reappoints Measure U oversight members; residents press for street repairs and brush removal

The Solvang City Council on Jan. 13 appointed two members to the Measure U Citizens Oversight Committee and set a public workshop on Measure U for Jan. 28.

Adelia Kehoe and Henry (listed in the packet as Haughey / Haugezy dependent on transcript spellings) were nominated and confirmed by roll call from the council (vote 5-0). Hank Homburg and others had applied for the two openings; Homburg and other speakers urged the council to prioritize use of Measure U revenue for street repairs, chip seal/slurry sealing and removal of flammable brush in high-risk areas.

Hank Homburg, a retired firefighter, told the council he believed Measure U funds should go to "protect and maintain funding for the city of Solvang services, such as pothole street repair and flammable brush material removal," noting concern about heavy delivery traffic and tree maintenance near Hans Christian Andersen Park and Freebore Canyon as fire vulnerabilities. Other public commenters and committee members described a developing Measure U strategic plan; staff and the committee confirmed a public workshop will be held Jan. 28 at 3 p.m.

Council members said they wanted continuity for the committee so the group could complete early work, and they acknowledged public concern about the use of Measure U dollars for basic infrastructure and vegetation management. The appointments were made by motion and ratified by roll call vote (5-0). The committee is expected to prioritize projects consistent with the Measure U ballot language and present recommended uses at future meetings.