Council funds Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble; Buellton Fall Festival decision delayed after recusal

Recreation Coordinator Allison Fiery told the council on May 22 that the Arts and Culture Committee reviewed two grant applications: a request of $20,000–$25,000 from the Buellton Fall Festival to help pay for headlining bands, and a $750 request from the Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble to bring a formal concert to Buellton.

Fiery said the committee recommended funding the Wind Ensemble request in full and recommended $8,000 toward the festival — an amount intended to cover two headliners — but added the committee was divided on funding the larger Fall Festival request.

During the council discussion one council member indicated they would need to recuse themselves from any vote on the Fall Festival because a family member works for one of the event’s vendors; with that recusal the council lacked the three voting members required for that matter, and the council agreed to table the Fall Festival request and bring it back when a quorum of eligible members could consider it.

On the Wind Ensemble request the council entertained and approved a motion to fund the committee’s recommendation of $750; the motion carried on aye votes by the members present.

Fiery told the council that the Fall Festival organizer indicated the event would proceed with or without city funding, and the Arts and Culture Committee had requested the festival include the committee logo in advertising if it received city funds. The council directed staff to return the festival request for consideration at a future meeting when all eligible councilors could vote.