Solvang Mayor David Brown’s ties to a mobile application targeting tourists caught his colleagues by surprise and raised questions about whether he has a conflict with what he intends to be a money-making endeavor. 

Other concerns focused on the use of sections of a city-funded video, but Brown has since told city staff he removed it and added a disclaimer to the private venture website.

A Solvang businessman first raised concerns about Solvang Passport during the Feb. 23 City Council meeting.

“I just wanted to make sure that the process that was taking place is fair and just for all the businesses in town,” Robby Hargreaves of Solvang Skate Shop said. 

Councilman Mark Infanti asked what staff knew about the matter, leading Brown to interject with his involvement.

“I developed an app for tourism,” Brown said. “I’ve not charged anybody for it, but it’s not city property. I’ve done this on my own accord.”

He said he discussed the item with “our legal team as well.”

“Well, that’s interesting,” Infanti said.

Later, Councilwoman Elizabeth Orona asked, “Is it a revenue-generating app?

“Not yet,” Brown said with a laugh. “I hope it is. Stand by.”

SolvangPassport.com was registered April 14, 2025, with expiration set for 2028. The app is available on the Apple and Google stores.

Brown described the app as a game promising “epic steps to adventure” with users able to explore, collect and redeem.

Solvang’s council approves the hiring of several consultants responsible for boosting the city’s tourism business, including operating the visitors center, marketing, organizing events and more.

Brown only declared a potential conflict at the March  9 meeting when the council discussed whether to take steps to protect the city’s logos, slogans and overall brand.

Before he left the room, Brown said he would step down because his company owns a trademark, but he didn’t disclose any other information. 

Brown’s Form 700 filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission submitted in January lists his businesses as G3 Acuity Inc., described as a medical franchise and digital marketing firm. A year earlier, the form used only the medical franchise description.  

The California Political Reform Act spells out rules for public officials and their economic interests, with the FPPC offering both formal and informal advice.

“Under the Act, a public official has a disqualifying conflict of interest in a governmental decision if it is foreseeable that the decision will have a financial impact on his or her personal finances or other financial interests,” the FPPC states. “In such cases, there is a risk of biased decision-making that could sacrifice the public’s interest in favor of the official’s private financial interests. 

“To avoid actual bias or the appearance of possible improprieties, the public official is prohibited from participating in the decision.”

Discovery of the app led to a discussion about directing staff to explore ways to protect the city’s slogan, logo and brand, with the panel’s majority favoring more research. Councilwoman Claudia Orona was the lone opponent.

The branding item discussion is set to return to the City Council agenda for Monday’s meeting, with the staff report spelling out steps taken since the last meeting.

The promotional video and link have since been removed, Brown said in a March 16 email to the city attorney. 

While Brown’s name isn’t included on the primary page, both G3 Acuity and his name as chief executive officer do exist on the admin and sponsors pages, spelling out the $250 monthly fee for up to 100 businesses seeking to be part of the app.

The main Solvang Passport page and the sponsor’s page now have disclaimers.

“Our attorneys want to play too and add this disclaimer! Solvang Passport is not connected, authorized, sponsored, funded or endorsed by the City of Solvang. The City neither expresses nor implies any approval, association, or endorsement of Solvang Passport. Play at your own risk of having fun,” the sponsors page states.