Solvang Council selects new mayor

 

 

With a salute to outgoing Mayor Ken Palmer, Solvang’s City Council selected Linda Jackson to be the new mayor during the final council meeting for 2007 on Dec. 10. Edwin Skytt was chosen to be mayor pro tempore.

The nominations included former mayor pro tempore Jim Richardson, advanced by Councilman Gene Boyle. Jackson was nominated by Palmer. The votes for both positions carried 3-2.

 

Richardson, commenting after the election, asked a question that was left unanswered: “The Solvang City Council guidelines, adopted before I became a member of this body, lists protocol for selecting the mayor every year. My question is, why do we have these guidelines if we are not going to follow them?”

Before the council reorganization Palmer was honored with a short break, which included a presentation and refreshments. Council members applauded his years of service to the community, and Palmer added that he would finish out his term on the council and then plans to retire from politics.

 

In other reorganization decisions, the council selected Skytt and Jackson to represent Solvang before the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority; and Skytt to participate with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control Board and the county’s Multi-Jurisdictional Solid Waste Task Group. The other committees remained the same.

 

In other matters, the council approved the sewer connection exemption for Jill and Michael Briggs of Solvang. The Briggses argued that Solvang City Code allows for exemptions when function, maintenance, flow and distance to the sewer system made connection questionable. The Briggses, located on Fredensborg Canyon Road, said the connection would have to be more than 750 feet, which is excessive, according to county requirements, and more than twice the distance in most districts. The Briggs home currently uses a septic system installed in 2006.

They also pointed out that there are two other homes on the same street that do not connect to the city’s sewer system.

 

Richardson reported to the council about the Measure D Renewal Investment Plan, which includes $3 million for general improvements, with 70 percent going to local governments to be used for road repair. Part of the plan would be to make improvements at the Alamo Pintado Rd.-Mission Dr. intersection and widen the Hwy. 246 bridge near that location. Palmer abstained from the vote because he said he did not agree with the county’s expenditure, calling it “excessive.”

The next council meeting will be Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang.