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Buellton City Council approves dog park grant

By Julian J. Ramos/Staff Writer

Buellton City Council approval of a a three-year agreement with PAWS Parks of the Santa Ynez Valley Inc. to develop, operate and maintain an off-leash dog park at the yet to be developed 3.33-acre Sharon Place Park at La Pita Place and Dawn Drive drew cheers and applause from a dozen or so park supporters at Thursday’s meeting.

Under the agreement, the city will grant no more than $60,900 to the group along with plans and specifications for improvements to the park grounds. A conceptual park plan features fenced areas for medium and large breeds, 0.8 acres, and small breeds, 0.4 acres.

The agreement also includes indemnity between the city and the group. The property will continue to be owned by the city and will be covered under the city’s insurance policy.

The vote was 4-0 with Mayor Russ Hicks, Mayor Pro Tem Dales Molesworth, Councilwoman Diane Whitehair and Councilman Ed Andrisek in favor. Councilwoman Victoria Pointer was absent.

In a separate matter, the council recognized Don Kircher, who is retiring effective June 30 after more than 15 years as City Attorney.

Addressing the council and staff, Kircher said he takes pride in the growth of the city and commended the staff as “exceptional.”

Hicks said “the city owes a great debt of gratitude” to Kircher and also thanked him personally for his advice throughout the years. Hicks presented Kircher with a desk clock, Buellton hat and T-shirt, a key to the city pin, an honorary citizen certificate and a framed city staff photo.

Whitehair said the city has been “blessed” under his guidance and direction and the city has prospered.

Ralph Hanson of Burke, Williams & Sorensen, who has served as assistant City Attorney when Kircher has been absent, was appointed his successor.

In other action, the council:

n Approved, 4-0, a $10.2 million budget for fiscal year 2008-09. Total city expenditures are estimated at $10,212,275. Total revenues, general fund and special revenues (such as gas tax fund, Measure D fund, redevelopment fund among others) are estimated at $7,656,317.

Although budgeted expenditures exceed projected revenues, there is enough money in reserves to cover the gap.

The budget is $1,146,333 or 10.1 percent lower than last year’s $11.3 budget.

No water or sewer rate hikes are expected. Rates have remained unchanged since July 1996.

n Directed staff to re-advertise an open Planning Commission seat. Since former Vice Chair Leah Hickey resigned in May, the commission has had only four members.

In 2-2 vote on June 12, Art Mercado, the only applicant to fill the vacancy, was not appointed. Mercado, a ranch manager and a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, is Mayor Pro Tem Dale Molesworth’s son-in-law.

n Tabled a decision on a $100,000 financial assistance request from The Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County to buy the seven affordable apartment units in the mixed-use building at Valley Station and assume management of the units. The total cost of the purchase is $650,000 for which The Housing Authority is prepared to pay $550,000.

JM Development, the developer of the Valley Station project on West Highway 246, has been managing the units with help from the city. All units are occupied. Two of the low-income designated units are being rented by residents with very low income and the city has been subsidizing the rent at $151 per month for each unit through a housing fund.

A motion to deny the request by Whitehair was not seconded and a subsequent motion to approve by Molesworth was also not seconded.

n Continued to July 10, an annexation petition from Mark Connolly of Buellton Connolly, LLC. for a 2.24-acre parcel off McMurray Road at Damassa Road. The property is currently outside the city limits.

The proposed Urban Growth Boundary Initiative in the city could have an effect on the annexation petition.

Under the proposal from the group Buellton Is Our Town, expansion of the city limits or development of sewer or water services outside the existing city limits would require voter approval. The initiative would amend the city’s General Plan and would be in effect until Dec. 31, 2025, the life span of the current General Plan. The General Plan is the document that establishes zones for different types of development such as commercial and residential uses, traffic circulation patterns and future development.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 10 in City Council Chambers, 140 W. Highway 246.

Julian J. Ramos can be reached at 688-5522, Ext. 6008, or jramos@syvnews.com.