In what appears to be the narrowing of a rift between local government and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Lompoc City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 4 to formally establish ties with the tribe.
Steve Pepe, a member of the city’s economic development committee, brought a recommendation before the council during the meeting that establishes an ad hoc committee consisting of Lompoc’s mayor and a councilmember for a two-year period to meet periodically with two representatives of the tribe to discuss specific matters of mutual interest.
The suggestion was put on the table because the city already meets with Tribal Chairman Vincent Armenta on occasion for this reason, Pepe said.
Lompoc Mayor Bob Lingl also said that he’s met with the Chumash informally on several occasions, the results of which proved to be quite beneficial to the city, noting substantial donations from the tribe to the YMCA and the new bike park.
Sam Cohen, the tribe’s governmental affairs and legal officer, also noted the connection Lompoc already has with the tribe. He said around 800 citizens work for the Chumash and they own several properties in the city, including two hotels, a restaurant, and a winery.
“We hope to establish more ties in Lompoc,” Cohen said. “We look forward to doing other cooperative efforts with our friends in Lompoc.”
Pepe also noted Solvang’s recent renewal of its own ad hoc committee.
Since formally establishing ties with the Chumash in 2013, Solvang Mayor Jim Richardson said the relationship is growing.
This article appears in Aug 13-20, 2015.
