Buellton council backs hotel registration rules, budget amendments and environmental permitting; directs support for state homeless‑funding bill

Buellton Mayor David Silva and the City Council approved several measures at their March 26 meeting that affect short‑term rentals, the city budget and local permitting procedures, and directed staff to back state legislation aimed at widening access to homeless‑service dollars for smaller cities.

The council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 2603 on its second reading, an amendment to Buellton’s municipal code that updates registration requirements for hotel operators and adds a new chapter governing operation of hotels converted or used for short‑term rental use. Council discussion on the ordinance included a public‑record update from staff that the Department of Housing and Community Development had emailed earlier that day saying it had no further comments on the ordinance changes; one council member recused from the ordinance item prior to the vote. The motion passed with council members recording Aye votes and the ordinance moving forward.

The council also approved midyear budget amendments for fiscal year 2025–26. Finance Director Chanel Zamora told the council the proposals increase both revenues and expenditures by $98,800 overall, reflect a $69,800 use of reserves, and leave the general fund balanced at roughly $18.2 million in total resources. Zamora said the city’s reserve policy requires maintaining 35% of operating expenditures (about $4.4 million) and that current available reserves are about $4.8 million. Line‑item changes include a $10,000 sponsorship to the Ziones Valley Botanic Garden, software and website maintenance increases, and additional utility costs tied to recent PG&E rate hikes. Council approved the resolution adopting the amendments.

On contract work, the council authorized the city to execute a professional services agreement for environmental permitting related to the Williamson property Phase 2 road crossing. Staff said the recommended consultant, Kevin Merck Associates (KMA), would prepare compensatory mitigation and monitoring plans and file permit applications with the Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the KMA contract was capped at $21,940 and permit application fees were estimated separately at up to about $10,000. Council approved the contract and asked staff to prepare the necessary budget adjustments.

Separately, the council voted to direct staff to send a letter supporting Assembly Bill 1708, legislation the League of California Cities is sponsoring that would help ensure small jurisdictions can compete for Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funds. Staff explained the bill would broaden access for jurisdictions under 300,000 in population and noted local participation in the countywide continuum of care would remain part of any future application. Council members asked questions about possible program requirements, memoranda of understanding and public‑hearing obligations; staff said the city would evaluate any specific funding offer before accepting tied conditions.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance No. 2603 (hotel/short‑term rental code update), second reading — Motion moved and seconded; council recorded Aye votes and adopted the ordinance. A council member had recused earlier on this item. - Resolution No. 2607 (midyear budget amendments for FY 2025–26) — Approved; increases revenue and expenditures by $98,800 and includes a $69,800 use of reserves. - Contract: Kevin Merck Associates — Approved; consultant work not to exceed $21,940; permit application fees estimated up to ~$10,000 (separate). - Direction: Assembly Bill 1708 — Council directed staff to send a letter of support to state legislators.

The council also approved routine consent items and heard community updates on upcoming events. Mayor Silva adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2026.