CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
CITY COUNCIL
Randy Rowse
Mayor
Kelly McAdoo
City Administrator
Eric Friedman
Mayor Pro Tempore
Kristen W. Sneddon
Ordinance Committee Chair
Sarah J. Knecht
City Attorney
Eric Friedman
Finance Committee Chair
Oscar Gutierrez
Meagan Harmon
Mike Jordan
Wendy Santamaria
City Hall
735 Anacapa Street
http://www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov
FEBRUARY 4, 2025, 2:00 PM
AGENDA
IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT: At the beginning of each meeting of the City Council, Finance Committee, or Ordinance Committee, any member of the public may address the City Council concerning any item not on the Council's agenda. Any person wishing to make such address should first complete and deliver a "Request to Speak" form prior to the time that public comment is taken up by the City Council. Each speaker will be given a total of 3 minutes to address the Council. Pooling of time is not allowed during general public comment. The time allotted for general public comment at the beginning of the 2:00 p.m. session is 30 minutes.
Any member of the public who did not speak during the 2:00 p.m. session but who submitted a request to do so during the 2:00 p.m. 30 minute session may do so at the end of the meeting when the additional “Public Comment (If Necessary)” is announced. The City Council, upon majority vote, may decline to hear a speaker on the grounds that the subject matter is beyond their jurisdiction.
REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT: Members of the public wishing to speak must “raise their hand” in the Zoom platform by selecting the virtual hand icon when their item is called. The keyboard shortcut for this is Alt+Y for Windows and Option+Y for Macs. City staff will activate the speaker’s microphone when the speaker’s name is called. The speaker will then need to unmute themselves. The keyboard shortcut for this is Alt+M for Windows or Command-Shift-A for Macs.
HOW TO REMOTELY OBSERVE AND/OR SPEAK LIVE AT A MEETING
• Web: https://santabarbaraca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-tbNSuHPTmquCwDEP9hNaQ (Participation via Zoom)
• Telephone: Dial 1-669-900-6833, Enter Webinar ID: 894 0718 1596 (press *9 to raise/lower hand; press *6 to mute/unmute) • Online Streaming: Council meetings are streamed live at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CAP • TV: Each regular City Council meeting is broadcast live in English and Spanish on City TV Channel 18 and rebroadcast in English on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m., and in Spanish on Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Each televised Council meeting is closed captioned for the hearing impaired. Check the City TV program guide at www.santabarbaraca.gov/citytv for rebroadcasts of Finance and Ordinance Committee meetings.
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments may also be submitted via email to [email protected] prior to the beginning of the Council Meeting. All public comments submitted via email will be provided to City Council and will become part of the public record.
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
ORDER OF BUSINESS: Regular meetings of the Finance Committee and the Ordinance Committee begin at 12:00 p.m. The regular City Council meeting begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
REPORTS: Copies of the reports relating to agenda items are available for review at http://www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CAP.In accordance with state law requirements, this agenda generally contains only a brief general description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed at the meeting. Should you wish more detailed information regarding any particular agenda item, you are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Council Agenda Report (a "CAR") online at the City's website (http://www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CAP). Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are posted to the City’s website as soon as reasonably feasible.
CONSENT CALENDAR: The Consent Calendar is comprised of items that will not usually require discussion by the City Council. A Consent Calendar item is open for discussion by the City Council upon request of a Councilmember, City staff, or member of the public. Items on the Consent Calendar may be approved by a single motion. Should you wish to comment on an item listed on the Consent Agenda, after turning in your "Request to Speak" form, you should come forward to speak or raise your hand in Zoom at the time the Council considers the Consent Calendar.
LANGUAGE TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION: The City of Santa Barbara offers live Spanish translation and interpretation for City Council Meetings via the Wordly platform. Follow the directions below to access the service. • Go to: https://attend.wordly.ai/join/QQBV-6746
o Ensure the Session ID QQBV-6746 is displayed.
o Select “Spanish” and click on the “Attend” button.
o You can now read the captions on your device and/or listen to the translation of the City Council meeting. o Click the speaker button to hear a text-to-speech version of the translated dialogue. • If you have any questions or concerns, please contact City TV at 805-564-5311.
SPANISH INTERPRETATION: If you need interpretation of your communications to Council from Spanish into English, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 564-5309 or by email at [email protected]. If possible, notification of at least 48 hours will usually enable the City to make arrangements.
INTERPRETACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Si necesita una interpretación del español al inglés, para sus comunicaciones al Consejo, comuníquese con la Oficina del Secretario Municipal al 564-5309, o por correo electrónico a [email protected]. Si es posible, la notificación de al menos 48 horas generalmente permitirá a la Ciudad hacer los arreglos.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: If you need auxiliary aids or services or staff assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's Office at 564-5305 or by email at [email protected]. If possible, notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will usually enable the City to make reasonable arrangements. For those who need accessibility accommodation in using the “raise hand” function and/or registering to participate in the Zoom session, please contact the Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting for assistance. Additionally, a speaker may email [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. the day before a meeting, stating which item they wish to speak on. Specialized services, such as sign language interpretation or documents in Braille, may require additional lead time to arrange. 02/04/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 1 FEBRUARY 4, 2025 AGENDA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 2:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Subject: Employee Recognition – Service Award Pins (120.04) Recommendation: That Council authorize the City Administrator to express the City’s appreciation to employees who are eligible to receive service award pins for their years of service through February 28, 2025.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Subject: Minutes (000.00)
Recommendation: That Council waive reading and approve the minutes for the special meetings of December 9, 2024, January 13, 2025, and January 14, 2025; and for the regular meeting of January 7, 2025.
3. Subject: Initiate Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendment for Creek Buffer Ordinance [Resolution] (650.04)
Recommendation: That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Initiating a Local Coastal Program Amendment for Development Regulations Along Creeks.
02/04/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 2
4. Subject: Approval of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Agreement for Operation of a Countywide Library System and Appropriation of County Per Capita Funds [Resolution] (570.04)
Recommendation: That Council:
A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Agreement For Operation of a Countywide Library System between the County of Santa Barbara and the City of Santa Barbara for the operation of Libraries belonging to the Countywide Library System; and B. Adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending Resolution No. 24-066, Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, to Increase Revenue and Expenditure Appropriations by $26,798 in the Fiscal Year 2025 Library General Fund; and Increase Revenue Appropriations by $78,147 in the Fiscal Year 2025 Library County Fund Budget for County Per Capita Funds, from the County of Santa Barbara, for the Operation of Library Services.
5. Subject: Second Amendment to Contract with IDE Americas for Charles E.
Meyer Desalination Plant Operations to Increase the Contract by $500,000 [Agreement] (540.1)
Recommendation: That Council authorizes the Public Works Director to execute Amendment 2 to the Design/Build/Operate Agreement with IDE Americas for the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant by $500,000 to allow for purchase of a third intake pump.
6. Subject: Contract for Special Inspection Services for the Santa Barbara Police Station Project [Agreement] (520.04)
Recommendation: That Council authorize the Public Works Director to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Pacific Materials Laboratory of Santa Barbara, Inc. for Special Inspection Services in the amount of $169,150 and to authorize expenditures of up to $16,915 for extra services that may result from necessary changes in the scope of work, for a maximum amount of $186,065. 02/04/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 3
7. Subject: Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report (540.01)
Recommendation: That Council:
A. Receive an update on the Three-Year Water Supply Strategy; and B. Approve and adopt the City of Santa Barbara Water Supply Management Report for the 2024 Water Year, finding that the groundwater resources are in long-term balance in accordance with the conjunctive management element of the City of Santa Barbara’s Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan.
8. Subject: Recruitment for City Advisory Groups (140.02) Recommendation: That the following be scheduled:
A. The City Clerk’s Office will accept applications through Friday, March 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. to fill scheduled vacancies on various City Advisory Groups and the unscheduled vacancies resulting from resignations received in the City Clerk’s Office through Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.;
B. The City Council will conduct in-person interviews of applicants for vacancies on various City Advisory Groups on Tuesday, April 8, 2025; Tuesday, April 15, 2025; and Tuesday, April 22, 2025; and C. The City Council will make appointments to fill the vacancies on various City Advisory Groups on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS
COUNCILMEMBER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
CITY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE AND ATTORNEY REPORTS
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
9. Subject: Annual Presentation from Visit Santa Barbara (180.02) Recommendation: That Council receive a presentation from Visit Santa Barbara. 02/04/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 4
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS
10. Subject: Appointment to Fire and Police Commission (140.05) Recommendation: That Council make an appointment to the Fire and Police Commission.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
11. Subject: Granting Consent to the County of Santa Barbara to Establish the Santa Barbara County Wine Business Improvement District (SBC Wine BID) and Include Territory Within the City of Santa Barbara in the Established District [Resolution] (290.00)
Recommendation: That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Granting Consent to the County of Santa Barbara to Establish the Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District (SBC Wine BID) and Include Territory Within the City of Santa Barbara in the Established District.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
12. Subject: Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction] (640.09)
Recommendation: That Council:
A. Introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending the Santa Barbara Municipal Code by Adding Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards;
B. Introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending the Santa Barbara Municipal Code by Amending Chapters 30.15, 30.140, 30.145, 30.205,
30.220, 30.250, 30.295 and 30.300 Pertaining to Regulations for Objective Design and Development Standards and Miscellaneous Clean-Ups; C. Repeal Resolution No. 21-031 adopting the Objective Design and Development Standards for Streamlined Housing Projects in its entirety; and
D. Determine that the Title 25 and Title 30 Amendments are consistent with the General Plan.
02/04/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 5
COUNCIL AND STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
COUNCILMEMBER ENGAGEMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENT (IF NECESSARY)
ADJOURNMENT
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: City Administrator’s Office
SUBJECT: Employee Recognition – Service Award Pins
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council authorize the City Administrator to express the City’s appreciation to employees who are eligible to receive service award pins for their years of service through February 28, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
The City appreciates the loyalty to the community and the dedication to public service that are demonstrated by City employees throughout the organization every day. Since 1980, the City Employees’ Recognition Program has recognized length of City Service. Service award pins are presented to employees for every five years of service. Those employees achieving 25 years of service or more are eligible to receive their pins in front of the City Council.
Attached is a list of those employees who will be awarded pins for their service through February 28, 2025.
ATTACHMENT: February 2025 Service Awards
PREPARED BY: Talhia Dorado, Administrative Specialist
SUBMITTED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
Agenda Item No. 1
File Code No. 120.04
ATTACHMENT
February 2025 SERVICE AWARDS
February 4, 2025 Council Meeting
5 Years
Andrey Kuvshinov, System Administrator, Information Technology Department Francisco Santana, Parking Enforcement Officer, Police Department Antonio Quintero, Streets Maintenance Worker II, Public Works Department Kathrin Rosenberger, Administrative Analyst I, Library Department Todd Fahlstrom, Recreation Coordinator, Parks & Recreation Department 10 YEARS
Franker Lomeli, Streets Maintenance Worker II, Public Works Department Maribel Barrios, Accounting Assistant, Public Works Department Gerardo Soria, Wastewater Treatment Plant Chief Operator, Public Works Department 20 YEARS
Joe Gonzales, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor, Public Works Department 25 YEARS
Adrian Gutierrez, Police Officer, Police Department
12/09/2024 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 1 of 2
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 9, 2024
17-21 WEST MONTECITO STREET
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Randy Rowse called the meeting to order at 1:34 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Rowse.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Oscar Gutierrez, Meagan Harmon, Mike Jordan, Kristen W.
Sneddon, Mayor Randy Rowse.
Councilmembers absent: Eric Friedman, Alejandra Gutierrez.
Staff present: City Administrator Kelly McAdoo, City Attorney Sarah J. Knecht, Assistant City Attorney John Doimas, Associate Planner Kelly Brodison, Community Development Director Eli Isaacson, Chief Building Official Tina Dye, Senior Planner I Meagan Arciniega, City Planner Allison DeBusk, Senior Plan Check Engineer Chris Short.
SITE VISIT
1. Subject: 17-21 West Montecito Street Project Appeal (640.07) Recommendation: That Council make a site visit to the property located at 17 - 21 West Montecito Street; the property on that site is the subject of an appeal set for hearing on December 10, 2024.
- Discussion: City staff provided an overview of the project site including a description of project, such as the project layout.. Councilmember’s questions were answered.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
No one wished to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
Agenda Item No. 2
File Code No. 000.00
12/09/2024 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 2 of 2 Mayor Rowse adjourned the meeting at 1:47 p.m.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Barbara on February 4, 2025.
SANTA BARBARA CITY COUNCIL SANTA BARBARA
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
_______________________________ ATTEST: ______________________________
RANDY ROWSE SARAH GORMAN
MAYOR CITY CLERK SERVICES MANAGER
01/13/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 1 of 2
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 13, 2025
305 EAST ANAPAMU STREET
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Randy Rowse called the meeting to order at 1:42 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Rowse.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Eric Friedman, Oscar Gutierrez (1:49 p.m.), Meagan Harmon, Mike Jordan, Mayor Randy Rowse.
Councilmembers absent: Wendy Santamaria, Kristen W. Sneddon.
Staff present: City Administrator Kelly McAdoo, City Attorney Sarah J. Knecht, Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary, Urban Forest Superintendent Nathan Slack.
SITE VISIT
1. Subject: 305 East Anapamu Street (570.08)
Recommendation: That Council make a site visit to the property located at 305 East Anapamu Street; the property on that site is the subject of an appeal set for hearing on January 14, 2025.
Discussion:
- City staff and Mayor and Councilmembers walked and viewed the location of the stone pines that are subject of the appeal hearing. - Councilmembers’ questions were answered.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
- Members of the public: Richard Closson; Lisa Ballantine. 01/13/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 2 of 2
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rowse adjourned the meeting at 1:53 p.m.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Barbara on February 4, 2025.
SANTA BARBARA CITY COUNCIL SANTA BARBARA
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
_______________________________ ATTEST: ______________________________
RANDY ROWSE SARAH GORMAN
MAYOR CITY CLERK SERVICES MANAGER
01/14/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 1 of 3
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 14, 2025
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 735 ANACAPA STREET
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Randy Rowse called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Rowse.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Eric Friedman, Oscar Gutierrez, Meagan Harmon, Mike Jordan, Wendy Santamaria, Mayor Randy Rowse.
Councilmembers absent: Kristen W. Sneddon.
Staff present: City Administrator Kelly McAdoo, City Attorney Sarah J. Knecht, City Clerk Services Manager Sarah Gorman.
RECESS
Mayor Rowse recessed to closed session at 10:31 a.m. and stated that no reportable action is anticipated.
CLOSED SESSION
1. Subject: Conference with Labor Negotiator (440.05)
Recommendation: That Council hold a closed session pursuant to the authority of Government Code Section 54957.6 to consider instructions to City Negotiator/Human Resources Director Wendy Levy; Labor Relations Manager Sam Ramirez; and Assistant City Attorney John Doimas, regarding negotiations with: Service Employees’ International Union, Local 620, Treatment and Patrol Bargaining Unit; Service Employees’ International Union, Local 620, Santa Barbara City Employees’ Association (General Bargaining Unit); Fire Management Association; Santa Barbara City Firefighters Association; Police Officers Association; Police Management Association; Santa Barbara City Supervisory 01/14/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 2 of 3 Employees; American Federation of State, County Municipal Employees (Represented Managers); and Unrepresented Managers and Confidential Employees.
Scheduling: Duration, 45 Minutes; anytime
Report: None anticipated
Document:
- January 14, 2025, report from Human Resources Director.
Time:
- 10:31 – 10:51 a.m.
No report made.
2. Subject: Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Government Code Section 54957 (b)(1) (440.05)
Recommendation: That Council hold a closed session for a Public Employee Performance Evaluation per Government Code Section 54957 (b)(1).
Title: City Attorney
Scheduling: Duration, 30 minutes; 11:15 AM
Report: None anticipated
Document:
- January 14, 2025, report from Human Resources Director.
Time:
- 10:55 - 11:25 a.m.
No report made.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
No one wished to speak.
01/14/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 3 of 3
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rowse adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Barbara on February 4, 2025.
SANTA BARBARA CITY COUNCIL SANTA BARBARA
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
_______________________________ ATTEST: ______________________________
RANDY ROWSE SARAH GORMAN
MAYOR CITY CLERK SERVICES MANAGER
01/07/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 1 of 5
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2025
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 735 ANACAPA STREET
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Randy Rowse called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. (The Finance Committee and Ordinance Committee, which normally meet at 12:00 p.m., did not meet on this day.)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Rowse.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Eric Friedman, Alejandra Gutierrez, Oscar Gutierrez, Meagan Harmon, Mike Jordan, Mayor Randy Rowse.
Councilmembers absent: Councilmember Kristen W. Sneddon.
Staff present: City Administrator Kelly McAdoo, Assistant City Attorney John Doimas, City Clerk Services Manager Sarah Gorman.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Subject: Recognition of Outgoing Councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez Action: Mayor Rowse recognized Councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez.
2. Subject: Comments by Outgoing Councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez Action: Councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez made comments.
3. Subject: Comments by the Public Relating to Outgoing Councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez
Speakers:
- Members of the Public: Mark Alvarado; Mario Gutierrez; Loy Beardsmore; Elizabeth Adams.
- Mayor and Councilmembers made statements of appreciation. 01/07/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 2 of 5
4. Subject: Affirmation of Allegiance by Councilmembers-Elect Wendy Santamaria, Mike Jordan, and Oscar Gutierrez
Action: City Clerk Services Manager Sarah Gorman administered the Affirmation of Allegiance to Councilmembers-Elect Wendy Santamaria, Mike Jordan, and Oscar Gutierrez.
5. Subject: Presentation of Certificates of Election
Action: City Clerk Services Manager Sarah Gorman presented the Certificates of Election to Councilmembers-Elect Wendy Santamaria, Mike Jordan, and Oscar Gutierrez.
RECESS
2:31 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
6. Subject: Seating of Newly-Installed Councilmembers
Action: Councilmembers Wendy Santamaria, Mike Jordan, and Oscar Gutierrez were seated.
7. Subject: Comments by Councilmembers Wendy Santamaria, Mike Jordan, and Oscar Gutierrez
Action: Councilmembers Wendy Santamaria, Mike Jordan, and Oscar Gutierrez made comments.
8. Subject: Comments by the Public to Councilmembers Wendy Santamaria, Mike Jordan, and Oscar Gutierrez
Speakers:
- Members of the Public: Lee Heller; Jacqueline Inda; Jose Arturo Gallegos; Estela Montono; Miguel Avila; Kristen Miller; Elizabeth Adams; Aruni Boteju; Kathy Janega-Dykes.
- Mayor and Councilmembers made statements of appreciation.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the Public: Jose Arturo Gallegos; Helen Larsen.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
01/07/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 3 of 5
CITY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE AND ATTORNEY REPORTS
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
9. Subject: Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore, Ordinance Committee, and Finance Committee (140.07)
Recommendation: That Council consider the appointment of a Mayor Pro Tempore, and Chairs and Members of the Ordinance and Finance Committees.
Documents:
- January 7, 2025, report from the City Administrator.
Speakers;
- Members of the Public: No one wished to speak.
Motion:
Councilmembers Jordan/Harmon to appoint Eric Friedman as Mayor Pro Tem.
Vote:
Unanimous roll call vote (Absent: Councilmembers Sneddon).
Motion:
Councilmembers Harmon/Gutierrez to appoint Eric Friedman as Finance Committee Chair.
Vote:
Unanimous roll call vote (Absent: Councilmembers Sneddon).
Motion:
Councilmembers Gutierrez/Jordan to appoint Kristen Sneddon as Ordinance Committee Chair.
Vote:
Unanimous roll call vote (Absent: Councilmembers Sneddon).
10. Subject: Advisory Groups and Council Liaisons Appointments (140.07) Recommendation: That Council consider the appointments of Council Liaisons to Advisory Groups and Boards and Commissions.
Documents:
- January 7, 2025, report from the City Administrator.
Speakers:
- Members of the Public: No one wished to speak.
01/07/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 4 of 5 Discussion:
The following changes were made to the Council Liaison Appointments list:
1. Mayor Pro Tem changed to Friedman;
2. Finance Committee Chair changed to Friedman;
3. Ordinance Committee Chair changed to Sneddon;
4. Architectural Board of Review Liaison changed Santamaria; alternate changed to Harmon;
5. Citizens’ Oversight Committee to Santamaria;
6. Civil Service Commission to Santamaria;
7. Housing Authority Commission Alternate to Santamaria;
8. Living Wage Authority Commission deleted;
9. Parks and Recreation changed to Santamaria;
10.Rental Housing Primary changed to Harmon; Alternate changed to Santamaria;
11.Youth Council Alternate changed to Harmon;
12.Single Family Design Board alternate changed to Santamaria;
13.Transportation and Circulation Committee changed to Santamaria;
14.Housing Crisis Task Force sunsetted and removed from list;
15.Land Development Team Oversight Committee A. Gutierrez member changed to Santamaria;
16.Path Alternative changed to Santamaria;
17.Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts alternate changed to Santamaria;
18.PARC Foundation changed to Jordan;
19.City/County Affordable Housing Task Group A. Gutierrez changed to Santamaria;
20.CommUnify Alternate changed to Santamaria;
21.South Coast Youth Safety Partnership member changed to O.
Gutierrez; alternate Sneddon
22.United Way Brighter Future Childcare Coalition Alternate O.
Gutierrez added.
Motion:
Councilmembers Harmon/Friedman to approve the changes as follows:
1. Mayor Pro Tem changed to Friedman;
2. Finance Committee Chair changed to Friedman;
3. Ordinance Committee Chair changed to Sneddon;
4. Architectural Board of Review Liaison changed Santamaria; alternate changed to Harmon;
5. Citizens’ Oversight Committee to Santamaria;
6. Civil Service Commission to Santamaria;
7. Housing Authority Commission Alternate to Santamaria;
8. Living Wage Authority Commission deleted;
9. Parks and Recreation changed to Santamaria;
10.Rental Housing Primary changed to Harmon; Alternate changed to Santamaria;
01/07/2025 Santa Barbara City Council Minutes Page 5 of 5
11.Youth Council Alternate changed to Harmon;
12.Single Family Design Board alternate changed to Santamaria;
13.Transportation and Circulation Committee changed to Santamaria;
14.Housing Crisis Task Force sunsetted and removed from list;
15.Land Development Team Oversight Committee A. Gutierrez member changed to Santamaria;
16.Path Alternative changed to Santamaria;
17.Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts alternate changed to Santamaria;
18.PARC Foundation changed to Jordan;
19.City/County Affordable Housing Task Group A. Gutierrez changed to Santamaria;
20.CommUnify Alternate changed to Santamaria;
21.South Coast Youth Safety Partnership member changed to O.
Gutierrez; alternate Sneddon
22.United Way Brighter Future Childcare Coalition Alternate O.
Gutierrez added.
Vote:
Unanimous roll call vote (Absent: Councilmembers Sneddon).
COUNCIL AND STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
COUNCILMEMBER ENGAGEMENTS
- Councilmember Gutierrez reported on their attendance at the following events or made the following comments: 1. Holiday events.
- Mayor Rowse reported on their attendance at the following events or made the following comments: 1. Rescue Mission Christmas dinner service.
PUBLIC COMMENT (IF NECESSARY)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rowse adjourned the meeting at 3:48 p.m. in the memory of President Jimmy Carter and Gary Fruin.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Barbara on February 4, 2025.
SANTA BARBARA CITY COUNCIL SANTA BARBARA
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
_______________________________ ATTEST: ______________________________
RANDY ROWSE SARAH GORMAN
MAYOR CITY CLERK SERVICES MANAGER
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Sustainability & Resilience Department
Community Development Department
SUBJECT: Initiate Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendment for Creek Buffer Ordinance [Resolution]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Initiating a Local Coastal Program Amendment for Development Regulations Along Creeks.
DISCUSSION:
Development buffers from creeks are required by the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan (LUP) and for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The City’s General Plan also includes policies to protect and restore creeks and their riparian corridors and establish creek development standards. Buffers between structures and creeks are important to reduce public safety risks associated with erosion and flooding. Additionally, buffers protect creek side habitats, preserve scenic beauty, and enhance water quality.
For much of the City, specific requirements for creek development buffers are currently determined on a case-by-case basis dependent upon technical reports. The lack of clear requirements often creates prolonged development application reviews, costly analysis, and inconsistent outcomes over time. To streamline permit application reviews and provide clarity to applicants, the City is proposing to develop an ordinance establishing minimum buffers from City creeks that will be applied objectively throughout the City. The ordinance will apply to all portions of the City except the Airport area, where regulations specific to Goleta Slough apply.
Due to the need for clearer regulations adjacent to creeks, the City included creek buffer standards as part of the comprehensive update to the Coastal LUP that was certified by Council and the California Coastal Commission in 2019. The Coastal LUP serves as the standard of review for issuance of discretionary coastal development permits in the Coastal Zone. The minimum creek buffers in the proposed ordinance are consistent with Agenda Item No. 3
File Code No. 650.04
Council Agenda Report
Initiate Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendment for Creek Buffer Ordinance [Resolution]
February 4, 2025
those in the Coastal LUP: 50 feet from top of bank for all major creeks; 35-foot buffers from public flood control projects; and 15 feet from minor creeks. The creek buffers approved in the Coastal LUP were widely supported, including by the Creeks Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, City Council, and a coalition of 13 community groups.
Additionally, these buffer distances align with those of Santa Barbara County and other neighboring jurisdictions for urban areas.
While the Coastal LUP provides clear creek buffer regulations, the LUP regulations only apply within the Coastal Zone and to developments that are not considered exempt from coastal permitting (i.e. require full discretionary coastal development permits).
Additionally, the passage in recent years of several State laws prohibiting local agencies from requiring discretionary permit processes for housing and mixed-use developments has particularly elevated the need for codified, objective minimum creek buffers that can be administered ministerially and apply to all developments.
The Sustainability and Resilience Department and Community Development Department have been working closely with the City Attorney on the development of a new creek buffer ordinance that will be incorporated into Title 22 of the Municipal Code. In addition to a municipal code amendment, approval of a Local Coastal Program Amendment by Council and the California Coastal Commission is required to implement the ordinance in the coastal zone.
A public review draft of the ordinance is available at
www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CreekBuffers, the Planning Division offices at 630 Garden Street, and the Central Public Library at 40 East Anapamu Street. An open house on the ordinance will be held on Wednesday February 5, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 at the Central Library’s Faulkner Gallery at 40 East Anapamu Street. The public is invited to submit comments on the draft ordinance to [email protected] by March 10, 2025. Following the public comment period, hearings of the Planning Commission, Ordinance Committee, and Council will be conducted to approve the ordinance and forward the LCP Amendment to California Coastal Commission for certification.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
This action does not have a budget or financial impact on the City. It is anticipated that existing budgeted positions can complete and implement the ordinance.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The proposed ordinance will reduce safety risks associated with creek side development by establishing minimum buffers along creeks. Development buffers along creeks are important to reduce public safety hazards associated with erosion and flooding.
Additionally, buffers protect creek side habitats, preserve scenic beauty, and improve water quality.
Council Agenda Report
Initiate Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendment for Creek Buffer Ordinance [Resolution]
February 4, 2025
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The CEQA statute (California Public Resources Code §21080.9) and the State CEQA Guidelines (CCR §15265) exempt local governments from CEQA environmental review in connection with preparation and adoption of its Local Coastal Program. Additionally, State CEQA Guidelines (CCR §15307) exempt actions taken by local agencies to ensure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of natural resources for protection of the environment.
PREPARED BY: Melissa Hetrick, Resilience Program Supervisor Erin Markey, Creeks Division Manager
Allison DeBusk, City Planner
SUBMITTED BY: Alelia Parenteau, Sustainability and Resilience Director Elias Isaacson, Community Development Director
APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA BARBARA INITIATING A LOCAL COASTAL
PROGRAM AMENDMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS ALONG CREEKS
WHEREAS, The City of Santa Barbara has an effectively certified Local Coastal Program (LCP) including a Coastal Land Use Plan and implementation ordinances in the Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Barbara, desires to pursue a new ordinance to establish minimum buffer regulations along creeks in order to reduce safety risks associated with erosion and flooding and to protect creek habitats and water quality; WHEREAS, development buffers from creeks are required by the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan (LUP) and for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act; WHEREAS, the City’s General Plan includes policies to protect and restore creeks and their riparian corridors, and establish creek development standards; WHEREAS, for most of the City, buffers from creeks are determined on a case-by-case basis and involves extensive permitting processing time and inconsistent outcomes; WHEREAS, goals of the new creek buffer ordinance are to streamline permit application reviews, provide clarity to applicants, and to establish minimum buffers from City creeks that can be applied objectively throughout the City;
WHEREAS, the new creeks buffer ordinance will require completion and submittal for certification by the California Coastal Commission of an amendment to the LCP in part to be effective in the coastal zone; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Barbara commits to and agrees to fully support a planning effort intended to amend the certified LCP pursuant to the provisions of the California Coastal Act, with full public participation and coordination with the Coastal Commission staff.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Santa Barbara hereby initiates a LCP Amendment process that will conclude with the submittal of a formal LCP Amendment application to the California Coastal Commission for certification.
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Library Department
SUBJECT: Approval of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Agreement for Operation of a Countywide Library System and Appropriation of County Per Capita Funds [Resolution]
RECOMMENDATION: That Council:
A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 Agreement For Operation of a Countywide Library System between the County of Santa Barbara and the City of Santa Barbara for the operation of Libraries belonging to the Countywide Library System; and B. Adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending Resolution No. 24-066, Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, to Increase Revenue and Expenditure Appropriations by $26,798 in the Fiscal Year 2025 Library General Fund; and Increase Revenue Appropriations by $78,147 in the Fiscal Year 2025 Library County Fund Budget for County Per Capita Funds, from the County of Santa Barbara, for the Operation of Library Services.
DISCUSSION:
The Agreement for Operation of a Countywide Library System for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (FY25) provides for continued funding of library services for all Santa Barbara County residents and designates the Cities of Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Goleta, and Santa Maria as administrators of County Library Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. The City of Santa Barbara furnishes library service to all persons inhabiting Library Zone 1, including the City of Santa Barbara, and the unincorporated areas of Montecito, Summerland, and Mission Canyon.
On June 30, 2024, the previous one-year contract expired. A new one-year contract allows the City of Santa Barbara to receive the recommended funding for library operations at City Libraries and the Montecito Branch Library. On December 17, 2024, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved the FY25 Agreement, the Agenda Item No. 4
File Code No. 570.04
Council Agenda Report
Approval of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Agreement for Operation of a Countywide Library System and Appropriation of County Per Capita Funds [Resolution] February 4, 2025
content of which has not changed substantially from last year. The only changes of note are the increased County Per Capita and corresponding County Funding allocated to each branch in Table 1 of the agreement.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The adopted FY25 General Fund Library budget for City Libraries included $793,765 and the adopted FY25 County Fund Library budget for the Montecito Branch Library included $285,924 in per capita revenue anticipated from the County of Santa Barbara. Per capita revenue was calculated using the previous year’s published population figures from the California State Library’s Certification of Population Figures (89,388 for Santa Barbara and Eastside; 9,080 for Montecito) and a County per capita allocation of $8.88.
Under the terms and conditions of the FY25 Agreement, the Santa Barbara Public Library will receive $1,184,634 from the County of Santa Barbara, a 2.6% increase from what the City received from the County for library operations in FY24. The increase from the FY25 Adopted Budget is from the County per capita allocation being raised to $9.15 and the Montecito Branch Library receiving additional special funding to balance their budget. The County per capita allocation for the City Libraries is $820,563 while the Montecito Branch Library was allocated $83,777 in County per capita, $230,294 in Cannabis/GFC funding, and $50,000 in Small Library funding for a grand total of $364,071.
Staff requests that Council approve an increase in revenue and expenditure appropriations for the Library General Fund of $26,798 and increase in revenue appropriations for the Library County Fund of $78,147.
A copy of the contract/agreement is available for public review in the Library Administration Office.
PREPARED BY: Kathrin Rosenberger, Administrative Analyst SUBMITTED BY: Brandon Beaudette, Acting Library Director APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
BARBARA AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 24-066,
ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025, TO
INCREASE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE
APPROPRIATIONS BY $26,798 IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2025
LIBRARY GENERAL FUND; AND INCREASE REVENUE
APPROPRIATIONS BY $78,147 IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2025
LIBRARY COUNTY FUND BUDGET FOR COUNTY PER
CAPITA FUNDS, FROM THE COUNTY OF SANTA
BARBARA, FOR THE OPERATION OF LIBRARY SERVICES
WHEREAS, the City was allocated $1,184,634 in County per capita funds for the operation of library services from the County of Santa Barbara; WHEREAS, in accordance with the City Charter, the City Administrator filed with the Council a proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024; WHEREAS, the City Council is required to adopt a budget before the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2024;
WHEREAS, the City Charter provides that at any public meeting after the adoption of the budget, the City Council may amend or supplement the budget by motion adopted by the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the total members of the City Council; and WHEREAS, as authorized by Resolution No. 24-066, this Resolution approves the amendment to the budget as provided herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Santa Barbara that:
1. The Council approve the execution of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Agreement for Operation of a Countywide Library System
2. In accordance with the provisions of Section 1205 of the City Charter the budget for fiscal year 2025 (Resolution No. 24-066) is amended to increase revenue and expenditure appropriations of $26,798 in the Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund and increase revenue appropriations by $78,147 in the Fiscal Year 2025 Library County Fund.
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Second Amendment to Contract with IDE Americas for Charles E.
Meyer Desalination Plant Operations to Increase the Contract by $500,000 [Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council authorizes the Public Works Director to execute Amendment 2 to the Design/Build/Operate Agreement with IDE Americas for the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant by $500,000 to allow for purchase of a third intake pump.
DISCUSSION:
The Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant (Plant) is integral to the City of Santa Barbara (City) water supply plan. In 2014, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to reactivate the Plant. IDE Americas (IDE) proposal scored the highest, and over several months, a Design, Build, Operate (DBO) contract was negotiated in good faith. In July 2015, the City Council unanimously approved a contract with IDE to design, build and operate the Plant.
The Plant was initially constructed with two intake structures, each housing an intake pump to pump seawater onshore for treatment. IDE designed and installed a new pump in each intake structure as a part of the reactivation project. The intent for redundant intake pumps was to provide reliability; however, since commissioning the treatment plant in 2017, the intake pumps have experienced multiple failures, causing disruptions to the Plant’s operations and, at times, leading to prolonged shutdowns.
The proposed Second Amendment (Amendment) to the DBO Contract aims to improve the reliability of the offshore pumps by authorizing the purchase of a third intake pump to serve as a spare pump, ensuring continuity in the event of a pump failure. The amendment also clarifies provisions in the initial DBO Contract related to operations, maintenance, and warranties for the intake pumps.
Agenda Item No. 5
File Code No. 540.1
Council Agenda Report
Second Amendment to Contract with IDE Americas for Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant Operations to Increase the Contract by $500,000 [Agreement] February 4, 2025
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The estimated cost to fulfill the City’s obligation under this Amendment is $500,000.
These additional costs were anticipated in the recently adopted water rates, and the City’s Water Capital Fund has sufficient expenditure appropriations in Fiscal Year 2025 to cover the City’s portion under this agreement. If costs to procure the additional pumps exceed the budgeted amount, staff would return to City Council for additional authorization.
Under the Water Supply Agreement, costs associated with this Amendment are proportionately shared between the City’s Water Capital Fund and the Montecito Water District.
A copy of the contract may be requested from the Public Works Department for public review by contacting [email protected].
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The Amendment with IDE Americas for the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant Operations has no direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Therefore, this amendment falls outside of the definition of a “Project” under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines § 15378 (b)(5) as administrative activities of governments that will not result in physical changes in the environment are not subject to CEQA environmental review.
WATER COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
This item was presented to the Water Commission at its meeting on January 16, 2025, and the Commission voted 4-0-1 in support of staff’s recommendations.
PREPARED BY: Joshua Haggmark, P.E. Water Resources Manager/BR/sjc SUBMITTED BY: Clifford M. Maurer, P.E., Public Works Director APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Contract for Special Inspection Services for the Santa Barbara Police Station Project [Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council authorize the Public Works Director to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Pacific Materials Laboratory of Santa Barbara, Inc. for Special Inspection Services in the amount of $169,150 and to authorize expenditures of up to $16,915 for extra services that may result from necessary changes in the scope of work, for a maximum amount of $186,065.
DISCUSSION:
Background
The construction phase of the Santa Barbara Police Station Project (Project) is underway.
Specialized inspection services are necessary during construction for elements of the Project such as soil compacting, reinforcing steel, concrete and masonry placement, prefabricated lumber, fireproofing, welding, and structural connections. Pacific Materials Laboratory of Santa Barbara, Inc. (PML) was the highest ranked of the proposals received. PML has extensive local experience providing special inspection services.
Due to the type of inspections required for the Project, payment for services performed will be per unit price, per task, and/or at the hourly rates included in the Professional Services Agreement. PML will provide services in accordance with accepted professional practices and principles as a licensed Special Inspector, Section 1704 of the California Building Code, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws relating to this scope of work.
The frequency of testing and the type of testing is determined and required by the licensed engineers of record for the Project and are specifically articulated in the Project plans and specifications. The results and reports of testing are submitted to the engineer for review and approval. The delivery of work by PML includes their affirmative representation that the work conforms to the requirements of this contract, all applicable federal, state and Agenda Item No. 6
File Code No. 520.04
Council Agenda Report
Contract for Special Inspection Services for the Santa Barbara Police Station Project [Agreement]
February 4, 2025
local laws, and the professional standard of care and skills applicable to the scope of services.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
TOTAL
Construction Special Inspection Services (PML) $169,150 Contract Total: $169,150
Extra Services allowance $16,915
TOTAL COST $186,065
This amount is accounted for in the budget for the Project and will be paid for by the bond proceeds that are funding the Project’s construction.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
City Resolution 07-018 requires that new City of Santa Barbara (City) building construction be designed and constructed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver classification or, where LEED is not applicable for the project, another green building program certification level that is contingent on the building type. Resolution 07-018 also requires new building construction and major renovations for City owned and operated buildings be designed to exceed State Title 24 Energy Requirements by 20 percent. In addition, the City’s General Plan calls for the inclusion of solar energy to help meet the energy demand for the structure. Lastly, Council Resolution 17-043 commits the City to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030; therefore, having the police station as a zero net energy building design is in line with these goals. PML will help ensure these expectations are met by acting as the Construction Special Inspector.
A copy of the contract may be requested from the Public Works Department for public review by contacting [email protected].
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The Project is subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act and was determined not to be exempt from the requirement for the preparation of an environmental document. An Initial Study was prepared by Community Development Department Planning Division staff and determined a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was required. The MND document for this Project was completed and approved on July 13, 2022.
PREPARED BY: Brian D’Amour, P.E., City Engineer/BH/sk
SUBMITTED BY: Clifford M. Maurer, P.E., Public Works Director APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report RECOMMENDATION:
That Council:
A. Receive an update on the Three-Year Water Supply Strategy; and B. Approve and adopt the City of Santa Barbara Water Supply Management Report for the 2024 Water Year, finding that the groundwater resources are in long-term balance in accordance with the conjunctive management element of the City of Santa Barbara’s Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This water supply update provides an overview of the City of Santa Barbara’s (City) water supplies following the conclusion of Water Year (WY) 2024. It includes an analysis with the conclusion that the City’s available water supplies are sufficient to meet demands for at least the next three years. Above-average winter 2024 rainfall filled Lake Cachuma to 100% capacity; the reservoir began spilling on February 1, 2024, and continued spilling until June 21, 2024. Gibraltar Reservoir also filled and began spilling on December 27, 2023, and spill conditions stopped on June 25, 2024. The winter 2024 storms have sustained the City’s water supply situation, and there is not a projected supply shortage for at least the next three years. This report also summarizes the 2024 Annual Water Supply Management Report (WSMR), a backward-looking document summarizing water supplies and issues for WY 2024 (October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024). The report fulfills a mitigation requirement for the Coastal Branch of the State Water Project (SWP) to manage water supplies in a manner that prevents the long-term overdraft of local groundwater supplies.
DISCUSSION:
WY 2025 began on October 1, 2024, ending WY 2024. At the start of each new WY, staff updates the City’s water supply planning charts to reflect actual water used during the previous WY (in this case, October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024) and extend the three-year water supply strategy one additional year. Thus, this supply strategy extends Agenda Item No. 7
File Code No. 540.01
Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 4, 2025
through WY 2027. Updates to the City’s water supply planning strategy are conservative to ensure water security for our community. This conservative planning approach allows staff to determine if the City has sufficient water to meet demands under three assumed years of drought or during unanticipated supply interruptions due to equipment or infrastructure failure.
The recent update to the City’s water supply planning strategy demonstrates that, even if drought conditions return next year or the City experiences supply interruptions, the City’s water demands can be met for at least the next three WYs (through WY 2027) using a combination of water from Lake Cachuma, Gibraltar Reservoir, Mission Tunnel infiltration, desalination, and recycled water. The supply plan does not assume extraordinary water conservation from City water customers but does incorporate water demands from the City’s Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan (EUWMP), adopted in June 2021. The EUWMP demand projections include permanent reductions in water use made by the City’s water customers (-2,500 AFY) in response to the last drought (2014-2022). The EUWMP also includes an increase in water demand (1,430 AFY) due to the Water Supply Agreement with the Montecito Water District, which began in January 2022. State Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668 Legislation, also known as the Long-Term Framework (Framework), are intended to “Make Water Conservation a California Way of Life” and incorporate a water budget approach to urban water conservation. The Framework was adopted on July 3, 2024, and sets City-wide water budgets in four areas: (1) indoor residential water use, (2) outdoor residential water use, (3) non-residential irrigation meter use, and (4) a water loss standard for the City’s water system. The City needs to remain consistent with conservation efforts adopted in the EUWMP to comply with the City-wide water budgets as set by the State Framework.
Annual Water Supply Management Report
The annual WSMR summarizes activities of the past WY (October 2023 through September 2024). The WSMR fulfills a mitigation requirement of the Coastal Branch of the SWP for managing water supplies to prevent long-term overdraft of local groundwater.
City staff also uses the WSMR to inform Council and the public of recent activities and current water supply conditions Summarized below are key issues in the WSMR for each City water source.
Lake Cachuma
The Cachuma Member Units were granted a 100% Cachuma allocation by the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation for WY 2024; the City’s allocation is 8,277 AF. Bradbury Dam spilled on February 1, 2024, and the City lost approximately 6,900 AF of stored carryover water (water from previous years’ allocations that wasn’t used in the year it was allocated).
The dam continued to spill, and surplus conditions remained through June 21, 2024.
While in surplus conditions, all Cachuma water used by Cachuma Member Units is not counted against the current year allocation, and the City utilized 900 AF of “free” surplus water. Lake Cachuma was 94% full at the end of the WY (September 30, 2024). Lake Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 4, 2025
Cachuma supplied about 21% (2,434 AF) of WY 2024 total demand and is projected to supply 57% of WY 2025 demand.
Gibraltar Reservoir
Winter rains replenished the reservoir, and a spill began on December 27, 2023, ending June 25, 2024. At the end of WY 2024, Gibraltar was considered 48% full, with approximately 2,243 AF of stored water remaining. Gibraltar was an important supply for the City during WY 2024, supplying approximately 33% (3,854 AF) of the total WY 2024 demand. Gibraltar is conservatively expected to supply 12% of WY 2025 demand.
Siltation related to the 2007 Zaca Fire, the 2016 Rey Fire, and the 2017 Thomas Fire has significantly reduced storage capacity in Gibraltar. A bathymetric survey performed in September 2024 indicates that Gibraltar has a maximum storage capacity of 4,489 AF, less than one-third of its original capacity. The continued reduction in storage capacity was the impetus for initiating the Pass Through option under the 1989 Upper Santa Ynez River Operations Agreement (Pass Through Agreement). A Warren Act Contract from Reclamation is needed before the City can fully implement the Pass Through Agreement.
Reclamation has yet to release the Warren Act Contract. Staff worked with Reclamation in 2019 to review and negotiate the draft Warren Act Contract language. Staff continues to wait for a response from Reclamation regarding outstanding issues.
Mission Tunnel
Groundwater that seeps into Mission Tunnel is an important part of the City’s water supply. The City received 1,871 AF, or 16% of total water demand, from Mission Tunnel infiltration in WY 2024. Because the soils are saturated from the past two wet winters, similar flows of 100 AF per month are expected for WY 2025.
Groundwater
The City uses groundwater basins conjunctively with surface water supplies. Increased pumping occurs during droughts and emergencies when surface water is diminished, and decreased pumping occurs in normal to wet years to allow groundwater storage to be replenished. In response to the 2014-2022 drought conditions, increased groundwater pumping in WY 2015 through WY 2018 provided an important water supply. The City has primarily rested its groundwater basins since WY 2018 and has relied more on surface water supplies and desalinated water. To augment natural groundwater recharge, the City completed an Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot Project at San Roque Well, located in the Foothill storage basin. During WY 2024, 41 AF was injected into the basin, and 62 AF water was pumped, representing less than 1% of total water supplies. The City plans to pursue a permanent Aquifer Storage and Recovery Operations Permit at San Roque Well. If granted, the expected injection amount per month is 38 AF or approximately 456 AF per year. Additionally, the City will continue to rest its groundwater basins and does not plan to use any groundwater in WY 2025.
Based on the remaining estimated yield of the basins, groundwater resources are in longterm balance, and groundwater production does not exceed the estimated basin yield.
The City has factored this into its water supply planning and does not plan to use Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 4, 2025
groundwater supplies beyond the estimated remaining yield to ensure groundwater resources are kept in long-term balance. The City continues to monitor groundwater levels and water quality for seawater intrusion.
Desalination
In response to the severity of the 2014-2022 drought, the City reactivated the Charles E.
Meyer Desalination Plant (Plant) in 2017, which has a production capacity of 3,125 AFY.
The City-owned Plant operates under a contract with IDE Americas Inc. The Plant supplied over 21%, or 2,436 AF, of the total demand in WY 2024 and is projected to supply a smaller proportion, 14%, for WY 2025 due to planned maintenance.
In February 2021, Council changed the role of desalinated water within the City’s water supply portfolio from a drought relief/recovery supply to a drought preparedness, response, and recovery supply. Due to the continuous production of desalinated water since the Plant’s reactivation, the City has been able to store much of its Cachuma allocation in Lake Cachuma as carryover water. The City currently has nearly 8,402 AF of carryover water stored in Lake Cachuma on top of its WY 2025 allocation of 8,277 AF for a total of approximately 16,679 AF, which provides water supply security and stretches water supplies for future dry years.
State Water Project
The City receives imported water from the SWP through the Central Coast Water Authority, a joint powers authority formed in 1991 to finance, construct, manage, and operate regional treatment and conveyance facilities delivering State water to member agencies, including the City. The state is no longer experiencing widespread drought conditions, and reservoirs on the SWP filled in WY 2023. WY 2024 brought aboveaverage rainfall and average snowpack across the state. However, the City’s SWP allocation for 2024 was only 40% of the 3,300 AF maximum Table A amount, or 1,320 AF for the City, due to environmental pumping capacity limits on the SWP in the SacramentoSan Joaquin Delta. In WY 2024, the City used zero AF of its SWP water and does not plan to use any SWP water in WY 2025.
The City exchanged 422 AF of SWP water for Cachuma allocation with the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, Improvement District No. 1, pursuant to the Exchange Agreement between both parties. Currently, the City has approximately 1,835 AF of 2023 SWP allocation stored in San Luis Reservoir. This water will convert to carryover water in January 2025 and is vulnerable to a San Luis Reservoir spill condition. City staff continues to work with Central Coast Water Authority to identify sales or storage options for this water. A 25% allocation of 825 AF is conservatively estimated for 2025; the California Department of Water Resources announced an initial 2025 allocation of 5% in December 2024. The allocation is adjusted throughout the winter and spring, depending on weather patterns and supply availability, and could increase.
Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 4, 2025
Recycled Water
The City’s upgraded recycled water filtration plant went online on November 2, 2015, replacing the previous filtration plant constructed in 1989. This project aimed to eliminate or significantly reduce the need to use potable water for blending to meet Title 22 water quality requirements. In 2024, the City supplied recycled water customers with 695 AF of recycled water and 25 AF of potable blend water, marking a continued significant reduction in potable water use due to the project. Recycled water is an important component of the City’s water supply portfolio since every drop of recycled water used to irrigate landscapes or flush toilets replaces potable water that would have been used instead. WY 2024 did have lower-than-average demands due to lower irrigation needs with the wet weather. Approximately 1,000 AF of recycled water use is expected in WY 2025.
Water Conservation
In accordance with the 2020 EUWMP, the City’s Water Conservation Program is operated to minimize the use of potable water supplies, implement the best management practices of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and achieve compliance with State-mandated water conservation targets. Water conservation measures are evaluated for cost-effectiveness based on the avoided cost of additional water supplies. The City updated its Water Conservation Strategic Plan in 2020, including its adopted conservation measures and programs. The recently adopted state Framework Legislation sets City-wide water budgets in four areas: (1) indoor residential water use, (2) outdoor residential water use, (3) non-residential irrigation meter use, and (4) a water loss standard for the City’s water system. Additionally, the Framework Legislation establishes performance measures for commercial, institutional, and industrial customers, program development, and annual reporting. In WY 2024, City customers continued to conserve water, with residential water use 36% lower than the state Framework Legislation’s residential water use budgets.
Supply Summary
The City used 8,971 AF of water for City customer demands in WY 2024, with 81 gallons used per person per day. In addition, the City produced 962 AF of recycled water (including 267 AF of process water used at El Estero Water Resource Center), sold 1,395 AF per the water sales agreement between the City and Montecito Water District, recharged 41 AF of groundwater, and delivered 227 AF of water to Goleta Water District as part of the overlap agreements with neighboring water districts. The community continues to make water conservation a way of life, with the total demand for water in 2024 comparable to demands in the late 1950s.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
This action has no financial/budget impact on the City.
Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 4, 2025
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
A diverse and reliable water supply is essential for sustaining the City. Groundwater resources are in long-term balance in accordance with the conjunctive management element of the City’s 2020 EUWMP.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City’s Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report do not have any direct or indirect physical changes in the environment; therefore, this progress update falls outside of the definition of a “Project” under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines § 15378 (b)(5), as administrative activities of governments that will not result in physical changes in the environment are not subject to CEQA environmental review.
WATER COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
The Water Supply Outlook was presented to the Water Commission on November 21, 2024. The Annual Water Supply Management Report was presented on December 19, 2024. The Commission voted 4:0:1 in support of staff’s recommendations.
ATTACHMENT: 2024 Draft Water Supply Management Report
PREPARED BY: Joshua Haggmark, P.E., Water Resources Manager/DC/sjc SUBMITTED BY: Clifford M. Maurer, P.E., Public Works Director APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
ATTACHMENT
City of Santa Barbara
Water Supply Management Report
2023-2024 Water Year
Prepared by Water Resources Division, Public Works Department DRAFT December 19, 2024
City of Santa Barbara
Draft Water Supply Management Report
2024 Water Year (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024)
Water Resources Division, Public Works Department
December 19, 2024
INTRODUCTION
The City of Santa Barbara operates the water utility to provide water for its citizens, certain out-of-City areas, and visitors. Santa Barbara has an arid climate, so providing an adequate water supply requires careful management of water resources. The City has a diverse water supply portfolio, including local reservoirs (Lake Cachuma and Gibraltar Reservoir), groundwater, State Water Project water, desalination, and recycled water. The City also considers water conservation an important tool for balancing water supply and demand. The City's Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan (EUWMP) was adopted by City Council on June 29, 2021. The EUWMP details the City’s water supply and management strategy for the next 30 years.
This annual report summarizes the following information:
• The status of water supplies at the end of the water year (WY) (September 30, 2024) • Water supply outlook
• Water conservation and demand
• Major capital projects that affect the City’s ability to provide safe clean water • Significant issues that affect the security and reliability of the City’s water supplies Appendix A provides supplemental detail. Additional information about the City's water supply can be found on-line at: www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Water.
WATER SUPPLIES
The City has one of the most diverse water supply portfolios in the state, including local surface water; local groundwater (which includes water that seeps into Mission Tunnel); State Water Project (SWP) water; desalinated seawater; and recycled water. Typically, most of the City’s demand is met by local surface water reservoirs, desalination, and recycled water, and is augmented as necessary by local groundwater and SWP water.
The City’s local surface water comes from Gibraltar Reservoir and Lake Cachuma, both located in the upper Santa Ynez River watershed. The inflow to these reservoirs is rainwater, so rainfall data for Gibraltar Reservoir has important water supply management implications.
Figure 1 shows rainfall for the past ten years as compared to the 50-year average. Figure 2 provides additional historic rainfall information by showing 50 years of rainfall data, 50-year average rainfall, and 10-year average rainfall. Rainfall in the Santa Ynez River watershed during WY 2024, as measured at Gibraltar, was 162% of the 50-year rainfall average, with most of the rain falling during large storms in January, February, and March. Runoff generated by average rainfall is generally enough to fill Gibraltar; however, it typically takes above-average rainfall to produce any significant inflow to Cachuma.
Figure 1. 10-Year Rainfall History at Gibraltar Reservoir Figure 2. 50-Year Gibraltar Rainfall by Water Year
To enhance rainfall, the City has historically participated in the cloud-seeding program administered by the County of Santa Barbara. Cloud seeding was not needed in fiscal year 2024 due to winter rains. The City does not plan to participate in cloud seeding during fiscal year 2025 because enhanced rainfall could result in Cachuma spilling again and the loss of Member Units’ stored carryover water.
Table 1. Summ iz th t tu th Cit ’ w t uppli t end of WY 2024.
The Water Year runs from October 1 through September 30. All data is as of September 30, 2024.
Total WY 2024 water production was 11,619 AF.
Lake Cachuma
Total Capacity: 192,978 AF
(2021 capacity revision surcharged to 753 feet spill elevation for fish release water) End of Year Storage: 180,594 AF (94% of total capacity) The City received a 100% allocation (8,277 AF) of its annual Cachuma Project’s entitlement. Bradbury dam spilled February 1, 2024, and the City lost ~6,900 AF of stored carryover water. Spill conditions remained through June 21, 2024. Cachuma supply to the City was 2,434 AF and included 900 AF of “free” water used during surplus conditions, which does not subtract from the City’s Cachuma allocation. As of October 1, 2024, the City has 8,402 AF of carryover water and received a 100% Allocation for WY 2025, for a total of 16,679 AF stored in Cachuma.
Gibraltar
Reservoir/Devil’s
Canyon
Total Capacity: 4,490 AF (September 2024 survey)
End of Year Storage: 2,243 AF (50% of Total Capacity)
Gibraltar Reservoir spilled December 27, 2023, and spill conditions remained until June 31, 2024. Total deliveries from Gibraltar and Devil’s Canyon Creek were 3,854 AF. The projected long-term average supply from Gibraltar is 4,330 AF under Pass Through Operations1.
Mission Tunnel Groundwater in Mission Tunnel is an important City water supply. Mission Tunnel provided 1,871 AF, about 161% of the long-term average of 1,125 AFY2.
Ground-water
The City conjunctively manages its groundwater with its surface water supplies, providing for groundwater replenishment during wet years. Groundwater was pumped as part of the San Roque Well Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot Project for a total of 62 AF. The City monitors water levels and seawater intrusion; the groundwater levels in the Foothill Basin are showing signs of recovery and are back to early 1990s levels.
State Water
Project
The City has a 3,300 AF “Table A” allotment, subject to availability. WY 2024 State Water Project (SWP) allocation was 40%, 1,320 AF for the City. The City did not use any SWP for City usage in WY 2024 but did exchange 422 AF with Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, Improvement District No. 1 (ID#1) pursuant to the Exchange Agreement.
1 Stetson, 2013. Hydrologic Analysis of the Pass Through Operations at Gibraltar Reservoir. Prepared for the City of Santa Barbara. July 2013.
2 SWRCB et al., 2011. Final Environmental Impact Report for the Cachuma Project Water Rights Hearings.
Prepared for the State Water Resources Control Board. December 2011.
Desal
The desalination plant was reactivated in May 2017 and serves as a drought preparedness, response, and recovery supply for the City. It produced and delivered 2,436 AF of water to the City’s distribution system in WY 2024, allowing the City to use less water from Lake Cachuma and store it as carryover water in preparation for the next dry period.
Recycled Water
The City’s recycled water system serves parks, schools, golf courses, other large, landscaped areas, and some public restrooms. Demand from the system was 962 AF, or 8% of total water demand, including 267 AF of process water at El Estero Water Resource Center (El Estero). The recycled system demands were supplemented with 25 AF of potable blend water.
MONITORING WATER SUPPLY AND DEMAND
In June 2021, City Council adopted the 2020 Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan (EUWMP). The EUWMP evaluates the City’s water supplies for adequacy and reliability and provides a long-term view of the City’s water supply management strategy for the next 30 years. Analysis of the City’s current water supply portfolio suggests the City currently has adequate supplies to meet demands, even under reduced supply scenarios, except during extended periods of drought when supplementary supplies or extraordinary conservation are needed. A triple-bottom line analysis was performed to measure the performance of a diverse range of possible future water supply portfolios against social, environmental, and financial criteria. Results of this analysis indicate that expanding the City’s Charles E. Meyer Desalination facility from a production capacity of 3,125 acre-feet per year (AFY) to 5,000 AFY is the City’s best performing new supply when balancing social, environmental, and financial criteria as part of an adaptive water management approach. The timing for expanding the desalination plant will depend on the pace of demand growth and the ongoing availability and reliability of existing supplies. The EUWMP outlines an Adaptive Implementation Plan (Figure 3) that prioritizes water conservation, leverages the City’s current supplies, and identifies supply and demand triggers and corresponding next steps to guide the City in adapting to future changes in water supply and demand conditions. Total production for WY 2024 was 11,619 AF, which includes water produced to meet all water obligations, and most closely aligns with Phase 1. The City used 9,933 acre-feet (AF) of water for City customer demands in WY 2024, including 962 AF of recycled water. In addition, per the water sales agreement between the City and Montecito Water District the City sold 1,393 AF of water, recharged 41 AF of groundwater, and provided 227 AF of water to Goleta Water District as part of the overlap agreements with neighboring water districts.
Staff is monitoring supplies and demands and will notify Water Commission and City Council when it is time to move into Phase 2 and start planning for a new supply.
Figure 3. Adaptive Management Plan
City customer water demand has historically been measured by total water production, which is the total amount of supply from all sources needed to serve customer demands on the potable and recycled distribution systems. Figure 4 illustrates historical demands based on total water supply produced, including recycled water, to meet city customer demand.
Future demand projections from the EUWMP are shown in blue. Five-year average production values are shown in orange. Total water production for City customers was 9,666 AF for 2024 (excluding 1,686 AF for non-City customer demand and 267 AF of water produced for El Estero’s process demands).
Figure 4.
Senate Bill 606 (SB 606) and Assembly Bill 1668 (AB 1668) were signed into law in 2018.
SB 606 and AB 1668, also known as the Long-term Framework, are intended to “Make Water Conservation a California Way of Life” by introducing a water budget-based approach to urban water conservation. The Long-term Framework (Framework) sets water use standards for urban water providers in four components: 1) indoor residential water use, 2) outdoor residential water use, 3) non-residential irrigation meter use, and 4) a water loss standard for the supplier’s water system. These water use standards are added together to calculate each urban water provider’s total water use budget. The standards grow more stringent incrementally until 2041. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) adopted the Framework Regulation on July 3, 2024. The City calculates its water production subject to the Framework Regulation monthly as the “City Regulatory GPCD” as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 also includes the current Framework Regulation budget, the 2041 Framework Regulation budget, and a 12-month residential GPCD. The average Framework Regulation GPCD was 63, while the average residential GPCD was 56 for WY 2024.
In both Figure 4 and Figure 5, demands show a decline beginning in 2014 in response to the Stage 2 and 3 drought conditions that instituted mandatory reductions of water use.
There was a slight rebound in demand from 2017 to 2022, then GPCD and system production decreased over the course of WY 2023 and WY 2024, as heavy winter rains reduced irrigation demand for all customers.
Moving 12 Month Production (AFY) is
as of
9,
eptember, 2024
Figure 5.
WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK
WY 2024 included an above average wet winter with total rainfall at Gibraltar Reservoir of 42.7 inches, 162 percent of an average water year. The City’s local surface water supplies, Lake Cachuma and Gibraltar Reservoir, both filled this winter. Heavy January and February rains in 2024 replenished Lake Cachuma to its maximum storage capacity of over 193,000 AF, with Bradbury dam spilling on February 1, 2024. The City lost approximately 6,900 AF of stored carryover water when the dam spilled but did enter surplus conditions through June 21, 2024.
In surplus conditions, all Cachuma water used by Cachuma Member Units is not counted against their current year allocation, and the City utilized 900 AF of “free” surplus water.
Cachuma storage was at 94% of capacity (180,594 AF) at the end of WY 2024. The U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) determines the Member Unit’s allocation for the upcoming water year. Reclamation granted the City a 100% allocation for WY 2025. Gibraltar reservoir began spilling December 27, 2023, and ended June 25, 2024. In August and September, the City released 613 AF to downstream users as per the Gin Chow Agreement.
Gibraltar ended WY 2024 at 48% of capacity with 2,243 AF of storage. Gibraltar Reservoir (including Devil’s Canyon Creek) supplied approximately 33%, or 3,854 AF, of the City’s water supply in WY 2024.
Figure 6 shows the current water supply strategy over a 16-year period. The first thirteen years reflect actual water supply, and the last three years reflect projected water supply assuming drought conditions. Updates to the City’s water supply planning strategy are conservative.
Under the planning scenario, there is little to no rainfall assumed for three years, resulting in no inflows into Lake Cachuma. A 100 percent Cachuma allocation is assumed for WY 2025
and 80 percent allocation is assumed for WY 2026 and WY 2027. A minimal amount of inflow – resulting in 1,500 AF of water supply in WY 2026 and WY 2027 – is assumed for Gibraltar Reservoir, since even below average rainfall can result in available Gibraltar supplies. At Mission Tunnel, decreasing amounts of infiltration are assumed, with 1,200 AF in WY 2025, 900 AF in WY 2026 and 600 AF in WY 2027. The planning scenario also assumes that there are drought conditions statewide, which reduce the SWP water allocation to 25 percent in WY 2025 through WY 2027. The analysis assumes the desalination plant is operated continuously through WY 2027 at an 80 percent production rate (2,500 AF). This conservative planning approach allows staff to evaluate if the City has sufficient water to meet demands under three years of extreme drought. The supply strategy reflects the management policies adopted in the 2020 EUWMP. The 2020 EUWMP addresses a new “historical drought of record” based on hydrological conditions from the most recent drought (2012-2019), with three additional drought years added to create a 10-year record drought.
Figure 6. Current Drought Water Supply Strategy
CITY WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
In accordance with the EUWMP and the Water Conservation Strategic Plan, the Water Conservation Program is operated to minimize the use of potable water supplies, implement the best management practices of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and achieve compliance with State-mandated water conservation targets. Water conservation measures are evaluated for cost effectiveness based on the avoided cost of additional water supplies.
Highlights of the City’s Water Conservation Program include the following activities:
• WaterSmart Customer Portal: As part of the Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, the City launched the customer-facing water use and billing portal WaterSmart
in March 2024. Through WaterSmart, customers can monitor water usage by the hour, day, and month; receive automated leak alerts; pinpoint reasons behind a high bill; customize alerts for unusual water use; and sign up for autopay and paperless billing.
As of September 30, 2024, there were 13,379 accounts registered, 43 percent of total utility accounts.
• Conservation Phone Line and Emails: Customer service is provided to customers to analyze water use patterns, investigate high water use, troubleshoot leaks, provide recommendations for water efficiency, explain rate structure, participate in rebate programs, and get WaterSmart support. Since the rollout of WaterSmart in March 2024, the way staff interacts with customers has shifted to provide more online tools, water use information, and customer self-service through WaterSmart. Prior to AMI and WaterSmart, staff would conduct dozens of Water Checkups each month at homes and businesses and report the number of Water Checkups each water year to encapsulate the level of water conservation customer support provided by the City. One of the goals of implementing WaterSmart was to empower customers to analyze their water use and alert them to unusual spikes in use or continuous use to prevent high bills. By equipping customers with early detection and 24/7 access to water use information, staff has been able to transition to a supportive role offering guidance over the phone and through email versus in-person appointments. Moving forward, staff will be reporting on the number of automated leak alerts generated, number of water conservation related phone conversations with customers, and the number of conservation email messages exchanged with customers. In WY 2024 there were 18,460 automated leak alerts sent via email, mail, or text. In WY 2024 there were 2,397 phone calls and 1,101 email/WaterSmart messages with customers. • Marketing and Outreach: Implementation of regional outreach through the Countywide Regional Water Efficiency Program. Highlights from WY 2024 include: the 2024 WaterWise Garden Contest, countywide advertising about landscape transformations and irrigation repairs, WaterSmart portal enrollment outreach, Water Affordability Study participation, and new Garden Wise TV show episodes.
• Water Education Program: Free take-home water efficiency kits and musical assemblies to highlight where the City’s water comes from and how to conserve it. 1,661 students participated in WY 2024.
• Rebate Program Participation: There were 44 high efficiency washing machine rebates, 66 mulch delivery rebates, 9 irrigation efficiency rebates, 5 Sustainable Lawn Replacement rebates, and 119 Flume device rebates in WY 2024.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Staff continues work on a number of projects to improve the reliability and maintain quality of City water supplies:
• Desal Product Water Pump Station: This pump station is being upgraded so desalinated water can be pumped to the Cater Water Treatment Plant via the newly constructed Conveyance Pipeline and repurposed existing transmission mains. Onsite construction has commenced, and the pump station is scheduled to start up in the summer of 2025. Piping modifications at Cater will also be needed as the final step to
convey desalinated water into Cater’s finished water reservoir. These modifications are in the design phase. The project will provide the ability to convey desalinated water City-wide and to other South Coast water agencies.
• Alameda Well Water Line: The Alameda Well Waterline Project consisted of constructing a new waterline to convey groundwater from the Alameda Groundwater Well to the Ortega Groundwater Treatment Plant for treatment, which will improve water quality and supply reliability for the City of Santa Barbara. This project was completed in May 2024.
• Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project: In August 2021 the State Water Resources Control Board approved pilot testing of the City’s Aquifer torage and Recovery (A R) Project. The ASR project consists of injecting potable drinking water into the Foothill Groundwater Basin through the San Roque Well to replenish the aquifer and store water in wet years and recover the water from the basin in drier years. After completing well repairs in 2022, the three pilot phases of injection, storage, and recovery were conducted in spring 2023 through spring 2024. The third phase of the pilot successfully injected 41 AF of water with no observed changes to groundwater quality at the well site or surrounding monitoring wells. Staff will seek long-term injection permitting of the well, with injection capability of about 450 AF per year. • AMI: The City is working to enhance customer service offerings by implementing Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI). AMI is a system of meters, communication networks, and software that transfers water usage information and service alerts over a secure, wireless network to a central database. This information will be used to prepare water bills, analyze water usage trends, provide customers with hourly water usage information, and notify customers of potential leaks. Set up of the AMI network and installation of AMI radios on customer meters was completed in July 2023. The final phase of AMI implementation was launching the customer portal, WaterSmart.
Through WaterSmart, customers can receive leak alert emails, view their hourly water usage information, and view and pay their City utility bill online. WaterSmart became available to all City utility customers in March 2024.
WATER SUPPLY ISSUES
There are a number of significant issues related to the City’s water supplies, which are discussed briefly below.
Cachuma Project State Water Rights Order: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) operates the Cachuma Project pursuant to a water rights permit issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The project provides water to the City of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria Valley Water District, Goleta Water District, Montecito Water District, and Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, Improvement District No. 1 (often referred to collectively as the Cachuma Member Units). The first water rights permit for the Cachuma Project was issued in 1958. On September 17, 2019, the SWRCB adopted an order for a new water rights permit for the Cachuma Project. The current permit is the culmination of nearly 20 years of legal proceedings to protect water rights holders and address long-term declines in native Southern California steelhead populations in the Lower Santa Ynez River (downstream of Lake Cachuma’s Bradbury Dam). The new order requires higher downstream flows during wet years, which will reduce available storage in Lake Cachuma going into normal and dry years and a reduction in supplies available to Cachuma Member Units, including the City. The order also requires multiple operating plans from
Reclamation. The Cachuma Conservation Release Board (CCRB) and the Cachuma Operations and Maintenance Board (COMB), both of which the City is a member, are providing technical assistance to Reclamation in the development of these plans. In WY 2024, both CCRB’s and COMB’s efforts continued to focused on the Term 18 and Term 19 plans, which, respectively, identify how Reclamation will comply with multiple flow targets imposed in the water rights permit, and require Reclamation to study the effectiveness of the newly imposed higher wet-year flows on enhancing steelhead and its habitat downstream of Bradbury dam. Both CCRB and COMB have observed that Reclamation is making much bigger releases than required by the water rights order, and are working with Reclamation staff to encourage them to reduce the releases to more closely meet target downstream flows, while still protecting fish.
Cachuma Project Biological Opinion: In 2000, a Biological Opinion (BO) was issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for Reclamation's operation and maintenance of Bradbury Dam (the Cachuma Project). NMFS is the federal agency that oversees protection of Southern California steelhead, which was federally listed as endangered in 1997. The BO addresses the effects of the Cachuma Project’s operations on steelhead and its designated critical habitat in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Reclamation, in cooperation with the Cachuma Project Member Units, submitted a new Biological Assessment (BA) in 2013, which included proposed revisions to the Project operations to improve habitat conditions for steelhead while still maintaining water supplies.
In 2016, NMFS issued a draft BO, for which the BA served as a basis document.
Reclamation could not accept aspects of NMF ’s draft BO and submitted a new proposed operating plan and supporting BA in 2019. After additional exchange between the two federal agencies, Reclamation submitted a revised BA in December 2020 that incorporates the operating requirements of the 2019 Water Rights Order. CCRB is currently assisting Reclamation in responding to NMF ’s input and requests for additional information regarding the revised BA. When this revised BA is finalized, NMFS will use it to produce a new Biological Opinion that governs Cachuma Project operations. The desired outcome of this BO process is a non-jeopardy determination for steelhead by NMFS. Similar to the State water rights decision, the new BO is important because it could affect Cachuma Project operations and the amount of water supply available to the City and other Cachuma members.
Cachuma Contract 2020: Since the construction of the Cachuma Project, the Santa Barbara County Water Agency (SBCWA) has been the nominal contractor with Reclamation. The SBCWA was formed in 1945 by the State Legislature to facilitate development of the Cachuma Project and to provide a water supply to the City of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria Valley Water District, Goleta Water District, Montecito Water District, Summerland Water District3, and Santa Ynez Water Conservation District Improvement District No. 1. The City and these districts are collectively known as the “Cachuma Member Units.” The BCWA Act (Act), which created the SBCWA and specifies its powers, designates the County Board of upervisors as the legislative body of the agency. The BCWA’s authority is limited by the Act to supplying water to the Cachuma Member Units.
In 1949, the SBCWA entered into a long-term agreement with Reclamation for the development of the Cachuma Project and supplying water to the Cachuma Member Units (the Original Master Contract). Concurrently with the execution of the Original Master 3 Summerland Water District was subsequently merged into the Montecito Water District.
Contract, the SBCWA executed essentially identical water supply agreements with each of the Cachuma Member Units.
In the mid-1990s, the SBCWA, on behalf of the Cachuma Member Units, requested renewal of the Original Master Contract. The renewed Master Contract was entered into by the BCWA “acting as agent of the Cachuma Member Units” in 199 and was set to expire on September 30, 2020. The Cachuma Member Units are the beneficiaries of the water supplied by the Cachuma Project. They are responsible for paying for all Project costs and paid off the capital component of the Cachuma Project in 2015.
On May 2, 2017, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors authorized its staff to initiate renewal of the Cachuma Contract with Reclamation. Reclamation has stated that they generally conduct the contract renewal process only with the direct contractor, SBCWA.
However, given the unique connection that the Master Contract has with the Cachuma Member Units (e.g. Member Units are water recipients and are responsible for the associated payments to Reclamation), Reclamation determined it was appropriate for Cachuma Member Units to participate alongside the SBCWA in the technical and negotiation sessions for the contract renewal process.
After completing negotiations on a three-year extension and necessary environmental review, Reclamation signed an amendment to the contract with the SBCWA for water service from the Cachuma Project on September 28, 2020, extending the contract through September 30, 2023. Concurrently, on September 24, 2020, the Santa Barbara County Public Works Director signed the First Amendment to the City’s Cachuma Member Unit Agreement with the SBCWA to provide for continued delivery of water from the Cachuma Project to the City. The City’s contract with the County incorporates the same terms and conditions as the Master Contract three-year extension. In 2023, another short-term contract extension was created and the effort to develop a long-term Master Contract was once again postponed. The Second Amendment extends the contract through September 30, 2026.
A significant element of the long-term Master Contract negotiations will be carryover water.
Carryover water is annually allocated Cachuma water that has not been used by a Cachuma Member Unit in the year it was allocated. Historically, Member Units have been allowed to bank carryover water in Lake Cachuma until it is either used, or Lake Cachuma’s Bradbury Dam spills. During a spill event, banked carryover water spills first, and that spilled carryover water is lost. In WY 2024 the City lost approximately 6,900 AF of stored carryover water when Bradbury Dam spilled. Carryover water is an important water supply for the Cachuma Member Units, as it allows these water agencies to build up a drought buffer and provides them the opportunity to better manage their various other water supplies. At the end of WY 2024 the City had just over 8,400 AF of carryover water, or approximately 85 percent of the City’s annual demand, stored in Lake Cachuma. The City was able to carryover slightly more than its entire annual Cachuma allocation of 8,277 AF due to long-lasting surplus conditions while Cachuma spilled in the winter and spring of 2023 and 2024. During surplus conditions, all Cachuma water used by a Member Unit is not counted against its annual allocation and is considered “free” water.
During the 2020 Master Contract extension discussions, Reclamation expressed a strong desire to limit, or cap, the amount of carryover water Cachuma Member Units can bank in Lake Cachuma. Such a substantial change would cause the Cachuma Member Units to reconsider how they manage their water supplies and would impact their ability to prepare for a drought. SBCWA staff has verbally stated that SBCWA supports the Cachuma Member
Units desire to not limit carry over water. However, carryover water is likely to remain a point of concern for Reclamation and be a major component of long-term Master Contract negotiation.
Another significant element of the Master Contract negotiations will be the safe yield of Lake Cachuma. In June 2020 the SBCWA shared a draft study prepared by Stetson Engineers, Safe and Operational Yields of the Cachuma Project, with the Cachuma Member Units. Prior to completion of the draft study, SBCWA did not consult or confer with the Cachuma Member Units, and, upon review of the draft study, the Cachuma Member Units found it to be flawed in its approach, methodology and conclusions. The Cachuma Member Units sent a letter to the SBCWA stating their objections to the draft study in August 2020 and contracted with Woodard and Curran to develop their own safe yield study for Lake Cachuma. Results of the Cachuma Member Units’ study are being finalized. The goal of this study is to analyze operating scenarios for effective management of the Cachuma Project under the current operational yield of the Project, 25,714 AFY, while meeting other beneficial uses of the Project, including downstream water rights obligations and environmental release requirements. Conclusions from this study are likely to be another important point of discussion in the long-term Master Contract negotiations.
Gibraltar Pass Through Operations: The 2007 Zaca Fire burned approximately 60% of the Gibraltar Reservoir watershed, which normally contributes up to 40% of the City’s water supply. On top of historical siltation, the additional sediment load resulting from the Zaca Fire reduced the reservoir’s storage capacity by 1,535 AF. The Rey Fire in Fall 2016 also burned within the Gibraltar watershed, which resulted in an additional loss of 303 AF. The full extent of change in reservoir capacity from the 2017 Thomas Fire is still unknown, as sediment will continue to make its way through the watershed and into the reservoir for several years. A bathymetric survey conducted in September 2024 demonstrated a reduction of 229 AF of storage since November 2022, indicating that despite the wet winter, sediment is still making its way into the reservoir and not being flushed out with high flows.
The current maximum storage volume of Gibraltar Reservoir is 4,489 AF.
In 1989, the City entered into the Upper anta Ynez River Operations Agreement (the “Pass Through Agreement”) with other anta Ynez River water agencies. The City agreed to defer its planned enlargement of Gibraltar Reservoir in exchange for provisions that would allow the City to “pass through” a portion of its Gibraltar water to Lake Cachuma for storage and delivery through Cachuma Project facilities. As a result of the Zaca Fire impacts to Gibraltar Reservoir, the City elected to commence the “pass through” phase of operations and is working with the Reclamation to negotiate a Warren Act Contract as the preferred approach for accounting for the City’s Pass Through water. To execute a Warren Act Contract, Reclamation must prepare an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Reclamation released a draft environmental assessment (EA) that has gone through public review. The final EA has yet to be released by Reclamation. Staff worked with Reclamation in 2019 to review and negotiate draft Warren Act Contract language. Staff continues to wait for a response from Reclamation regarding outstanding EA issues. Reclamation has indicated that they are unlikely to finalize the Warren Act Contract until a new Biological Opinion is issued by NMFS. The Pass Through operations will allow the City to maximize its Gibraltar water rights, while the reservoir continues to lose capacity from sediment settling in the reservoir.
State Water Project/Delta Issues: Significant issues include:
• Delta Conveyance: The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a critical conveyance link for all water moved from northern California to southern California by the SWP.
However, the reliability of State Water supply is at risk due to drought, environmental restrictions, and seismic events. The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) proposed a solution to balance coequal goals of water supply and environmental benefits. A Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the BDCP were made available for public review from December 2013 to July 2014.
In April 2015, State and Federal agencies announced a new alternative which would replace the BDCP as the tate’s proposed project. The new alternative reflected proposals by Governor Jerry Brown and the California Department of Water Resources to separate the conveyance facility and habitat restoration measures into two separate efforts: California WaterFix and California EcoRestore. These two efforts are a direct reflection of public comments on the BDCP EIR/EIS and fulfill the requirement of the 2009 Delta Reform Act to meet co-equal goals.
On July 21, 2017, the DWR certified the Final EIR/EIS for the project, approved the California WaterFix (Alternative 4a), and filed a Notice of Determination with the Governor’s office. The California WaterFix included two large, four-story tall tunnels to carry fresh water from the Sacramento River under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta toward the intake stations for the SWP. The certification was a major milestone that came after more than a decade of analysis, review, and public comment.
In May 2019 the DWR began taking formal steps to withdraw proposed permits for the WaterFix project and begin a renewed environmental review and planning process for a smaller, single tunnel conveyance project, known as the Delta Conveyance Project. This action followed Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order directing state agencies to develop a comprehensive statewide strategy to build a climate-resilient water system. Governor Newsom envisions a smaller, single tunnel through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that would protect water supplies from sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion into the Delta, as well as earthquake risk.
It will be designed to protect water supply reliability while limiting impacts on local Delta communities and fish. The Final Environmental Impact Report was released in December 2023 and DWR approved the project in the same month. Now that the environmental review is complete and the project has been approved, next steps for DWR include pursuing numerous state and federal permits or authorizations, including those required by the State Water Resources Control Board, the Delta Stewardship Council, and compliance with state and federal Endangered Species acts. In May 2024, DWR released a benefit-cost analysis for the Delta Conveyance Project that finds the project would create billions of dollars in benefits for California communities, including reliable water supplies, climate change adaptation, earthquake preparedness and improved water quality.
The Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA) is one of the 29 SWP contractors.
CCWA represents the Member Agencies on SWP matters. CCWA Member Agencies include the City, Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District Improvement District No. 1, City of Buellton, City of Santa Maria, Montecito Water District, Goleta Water District, City of Guadalupe, and Carpinteria Valley Water
District. CCWA and its members have chosen not to participate in the new Delta Conveyance facility at this time. This does not preclude individual agencies from possibly purchasing SWP water from a participating SWP agency in the future.
However, there are concerns that by not participating in the new Delta conveyance project, CCWA members will have less secure water banking opportunities in the state’s an Luis Reservoir. This is a result of the new Delta Conveyance project, which is anticipated to cause the San Luis Reservoir to spill more frequently (every other year versus every ten years, historically), resulting in a loss of available storage to CCWA. For this reason, CCWA undertook a Water Management Strategies Study to identify and evaluate cost-effective strategies to optimize the yield from the SWP. The report included recommendations for water management alternatives that CCWA is now investigating further, including groundwater banking and water exchanges and transfers that involve SWP water and other supplies. The City is actively engaged in evaluating water management projects independently and along with CCWA, including water banking, transfer, and exchange opportunities to optimize its benefit from its SWP water. This work is ongoing. • State Water Contract Assignment: The City of Santa Barbara receives imported water from the SWP through the CCWA. The CCWA is a JPA formed in 1991 to finance, construct, manage and operate regional treatment and conveyance facilities that deliver State Water to its member agencies, including the City of Santa Barbara.
While the CCWA is responsible for financial and operational management of regional SWP facilities, the CCWA does not hold the current State Water Contract with DWR.
The State Water Contract with DWR was first executed in 1963 and is currently held by the SBCWA. On October 31, 2017, the Santa Barbara City Council authorized amending existing agreements with CCWA to effectuate the assignment of the State Water Contract from the County to CCWA. All of the CCWA member agencies have also provided such authorization. CCWA has also received written confirmation of DWR’s willingness to accept assignment of the contract to CCWA. CCWA has been trying to work with Santa Barbara County for the remaining approval to assign the contract to CCWA; however, the County Board of Supervisors has not taken any action to work toward contract reassignment.
• Legal Action Against the County of Santa Barbara: In early 2021, the Department of Water Resources and many of the 29 individual State Water Project Contractors (including CCWA through the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District) executed an amendment to the State Water Project Contract, commonly referred to as the “Water Management Amendments.” These new contract amendments were designed to improve the flexibility and efficiency of buying and selling water across the SWP, allowing Member Agencies to better manage supplies during drought and climate challenges. They also provide significant financial benefits to CCWA and its Member Agencies by creating opportunities to either offset the expense of State Water for the benefit of their customers or help offset the cost of developing local supplies.
While the County did execute the Water Management Amendments, they imposed significant and unreasonable conditions on sales and exchanges of state water, depriving the CCWA Member Agencies of the benefits of the new contract amendments. In June 2021, CCWA and each of its Member Agencies, including the
City, filed a lawsuit against the County of Santa Barbara regarding management of the SWP. The lawsuit is ongoing.
Groundwater Management Plan: The City’s groundwater basins are relatively small, but groundwater plays an important role in meeting demand during drought and emergency periods. Located on the southern side of the Santa Ynez Mountains, groundwater and desalination are the City’s only existing potable water supplies that are truly local. This is important in case of a potential catastrophic interruption of one or both tunnels (Tecolote Tunnel and Mission Tunnel) that convey water supplies to the City through the Santa Ynez Mountains, such as in a seismic event.
The City relies on two groundwater basins for water supply, see Figure 7: the Foothill Basin and the Santa Barbara Basin, which is comprised of Storage Units I and III. The City maintains seven groundwater wells – five in Storage Unit I, and two in Foothill.
Figure 7. Map of City Groundwater Basins
For decades, the City has been working with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor water levels and water quality of the groundwater basins and develop a detailed model to estimate the sustainable groundwater yield for use in the City’s water supply planning. The City has also adopted local ordinances regarding groundwater wells to protect the groundwater resource.
In 2014, the State of California adopted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). In addition, the State developed rankings of recognized groundwater basins based on their condition. For State-ranked “high” or “medium” priority basins, SGMA requires the formation of a local groundwater sustainability agency (GSA) and adoption of locally-based
management plans. SGMA provides local GSAs with tools and authority to 1) require registration of groundwater wells, 2) measure and manage extractions, 3) require reports and assess fees, and 4) request revisions of basin boundaries.
The City’s groundwater basins are currently ranked by the tate as “very low” priority. As a result, there is no current requirement to form a GSA or develop a groundwater management plan in order to be in compliance with SGMA. However, the EUWMP made several recommendations regarding groundwater management in the City:
1. The City should work with the USGS to update the City’s sustainable yield estimate and drought storage estimate for the Foothill Basin and Storage Unit I.
2. The City should prepare an annual report on the current basin conditions to inform annual water supply planning efforts. The City could consider creating a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) in accordance with SGMA, or an equivalent GSP that meets the City’s needs, but is outside of GMA compliance and reporting requirements.
The City entered into a contract with USGS in 2022 to better define sustainable yield and drought storage for the City. This project is ongoing with an expected completion in early 2025.
Appendix A – Supplemental Water Supply Information
Groundwater Balance
Project conditions of the SWP require the City to use SWP water to offset any demonstrated groundwater basin overdraft. Under the EUWMP, the City uses groundwater conjunctively with surface supplies, such that significant groundwater use only occurs when surface supplies are reduced. In response to the unprecedented drought that began in 2014, groundwater pumping increased in WY 2015 through WY 2018, providing a critical water supply. In WY 2019, the City pumped two groundwater wells to help meet peak summer demand from May through August, producing 318 AF. In WY 2020 the City only pumped 22 AF of groundwater, and in WY 2021 the wells were exercised to maintain function, but no groundwater was produced and the groundwater basins were rested. In response to continued dry conditions, City wells were turned on July through September 2022, producing 203 AF. Before the 2023 winter rains, the wells were used from October 2022 to January 2023, producing a total of 375 AF in WY 2023. A total of 62 AF of groundwater was pumped in WY 2024 as part of the San Roque Well ASR Pilot Project.
The estimated groundwater yield available to the City over a 5-year drought period, assuming no seawater intrusion, was originally based on numerical groundwater modeling performed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in 1998. In 2018, USGS updated their modeling efforts of the Santa Barbara (Storage Unit I) and Foothill Basins using a 10- year drought period and assuming some level of acceptable seawater intrusion.
Groundwater yield estimates in this report have been updated based on that more recent effort. As summarized in Table A-1, the estimated 10-year yield for City use is 16,090 AF in Storage Unit I and 8,130 AF in the Foothill Basin.
The City’s groundwater pumping over the last thirteen years is shown in Table A-1. In addition, any significant City pumping from storage that occurred prior to the drought is also shown. In normal conditions, the City limits pumping of Storage Unit I and the Foothill Basin to be equal or less than the City’s share of the perennial yield of the basins (assumed to be 800 AFY and 450 AFY, respectively). However, in 2005-2011, some additional pumping from Foothill Basin storage reserves was necessary to meet drinking water quality regulations prior to completion of the Cater Ozone project. To estimate the remaining groundwater storage available, the City’s actual pumping over the last thirteen years was accounted for, as well as previous City pumping from storage (or pumping that exceeded its estimated share of the perennial yield). The City uses non-potable groundwater from Valle Verde Well located in Storage Unit III to augment supply to the recycled water system as needed. The historical maximum annual pumping by the City from Storage Unit III is 216 AF, which occurred in 1990. The estimated average annual Storage Unit III yield available for use by the City is approximately 200 AFY. The City did not extract any water from Storage Unit III in WY 2024.
Based on the remaining yield, the City’s primary groundwater basins are in long-term balance with no overdraft projected in the next year. The City has factored this into its water supply planning such that the City does not plan to use groundwater beyond the estimated remaining storage yield to prevent overdraft conditions. The City will continue to rest its groundwater basins and does not plan to use any groundwater in WY 2025.
Table A-1 Groundwater Balance
Storage Unit 1 Basin AF
Estimated 10-Year Drought Storage Yield for City Use 1 16,090 City Groundwater Production (October 2011 – September 2024) 6,410 City Use of Groundwater Storage (October 2005 – September 2011)2 0 Remaining Drought Storage Yield for City Use 9,680
Projected City Groundwater Production for WY 2025 0
Foothill Basin AF
Estimated 10-Year Drought Storage Yield for City Use 1 8,130 City Groundwater Production (October 2011 – September 2024) 3,636 City Use of Groundwater Storage (October 2005 – September 2011)2 740 Remaining Drought Storage Yield for City Use 3,754
Projected City Groundwater Production for WY 2025 0
1 Nishikawa, Tracy, ed., 2018, Santa Barbara and Foothill groundwater basins geohydrology and optimal water resources management - developed using density dependent solute transport and optimization models: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2018-5059, 4 chap. (A-D), variously paged, https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185059
2 This represents City pumping exceeding the assumed perennial yield available to the City, thereby drawing from stored groundwater reserves. The assumed perennial yield available to the City is 450 AFY from Foothill and 800 AFY from Storage Unit I (source: City of Santa Barbara 2015 Urban Water Management Plan). Note that in WYs 2008-2010, the City increased pumping from Foothill Basin to meet water quality regulations as required prior to completion of the Cater Ozone project.
Projection of Supply Availability
Table A-2 summarizes the City's water supply sources and fulfills a requirement of the project conditions for the SWP. The WY 2025 Supply Plan reflects a projected total demand of 12,479 AF including ~240 AF for El Estero process water.
Table A-2 Sources of Supply (AF)
Source of Supply
WY 2024
Original Supply
Plan
WY 2024
Actual
Water Use E
WY 2025
Supply Plan
(Projected)
Gibraltar Reservoir 1,800 3,513 1,800
Cachuma Project A 7,488 2,434 8,291
Mission Tunnel 600 1,871 1,200
Devil's Canyon 0 341 0
State Water/Water Purchases 0 0 0
Desalination 2,496 2,436 1,972
Groundwater (potable) B 0 62 0
Groundwater (non-potable) B 0 0 0
Recycled Water C 1,092 962 1,240
Net Other Supplies D -1,696 -1,686 -2,024
Total Production to Meet Demand 11,780 9,933 12,479
A The City receives an approximate 300 AF annual transfer from Montecito Water District as per the Juncal Dam Water Exchange Agreement of 1928; the annual transfer is added to the City’s Cachuma Project balance.
B The City uses potable groundwater supply from Storage Unit I and Foothill, and non-potable groundwater supply from Storage Unit III.
C Planned and actual recycled water demands include El Estero process water and blend water.
D Represents miscellaneous production water used from the distribution system for purposes such as sales or transfers to adjacent water purveyors, potable water transfers to the recycled water system for blending, or groundwater recharge (negative values). WY 2024 actuals included 1,393 sold to Montecito Water District as part of the Water Sales Agreement, 227 AF in transfers to a neighboring agency, 25 AF of blend water, and 41 AF in groundwater recharge.
E Actual 2024 demand includes 8,971 AFY potable demand, 695 AFY recycled demand, and 267 AFY El Estero process demand.
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: City Administrator’s Office
SUBJECT: Annual Presentation from Visit Santa Barbara
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council receive a presentation from Visit Santa Barbara.
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to the Streets and Highways Code § 36650, the City Council will receive a presentation from Visit Santa Barbara as part of their annual report requirement for the Santa Barbara South Coast Tourism Improvement District. The report will provide a look back on the Fiscal Year 2024 industry performance and a look ahead to Visit Santa Barbara’s sales and marketing plan.
ATTACHMENT: Visit Santa Barbara Annual Report July 2023-June 2024
PREPARED AND
SUBMITTED BY: Nicole Grisanti, Supervisor, City Administrator’s Office APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
Agenda Item No. 9
File Code No. 180.02
Annual Report
JULY 2023 - JUNE 2024
GOLETA :: SANTA BARBARA :: MONTECITO :: SUMMERLAND
Attachment
V
02 Table of Contents
Strategy One: Position and Amplify the Santa Barbara Brand to Target Markets Strategy Two: Grow Overnight Demand for the Destination Strategy Three: Champion Positive Visitor Experiences
Strategy Four: Strengthen the Organization’s Effectiveness 05 12
16 19
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
This year’s annual report was crafted during the exhilarating backdrop of the Olympic Games in Paris.
While the games celebrated athletic prowess, this report celebrates team Santa Barbara’s remarkable achievements and milestones.
Here are the highlights from VSB’s fiscal year, concluding June 2024:
Public Relations Triumphs: Our dedicated public relations team achieved a record-breaking 2,611 media placements through strategic pitching, creative collaborations and steadfast media support.
Impactful Advertising: Our destination advertising campaign, “The Santa Barbara Effect,” delivered half a billion impressions, attracting highly qualified prospects for overnight stays.
Social Media Engagement: Fresh content shared through our expanding social media channels garnered 9 million organic impressions and over 7 million completed video views.
Website Success: SantaBarbaraCA.com, the leading travel website on the Central Coast, facilitated a record 1.2 million online referrals to local businesses, with 40% of those directed towards lodging stays across the TBID.
Group Sales Achievements: Our group sales department secured over 27,000 contracted room nights, a 19% increase from last year, thanks to their strong industry relationships.
Leisure Sales Expansion: In 2023, we reinvested in pitching the Santa Barbara brand to key travel advisors and tour operators. Our timing for growth was perfect, with the country’s largest leisure travel event, IPW, hosted in Los Angeles for the first time in a decade.
Local Partnerships: We strengthened our ties with the community, hosting, educating and showcasing a record number of businesses, cultural institutions and local events. The enthusiasm of our members to network remains boundless.
Record-Breaking Occupancy Tax Collections: The City of Santa Barbara saw the highest transient occupancy tax collections in its history, proving that our visitors are indeed contributing their fair share.
Thank you to our lodging businesses, VSB members, government partners and community allies. These achievements are dedicated to you!
Kathy Janega-Dykes
President/CEO
Visit Santa Barbara
Kathy Janega-Dykes
Executive Summary
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 03
Visit Santa Barbara is a nonprofit 501(c)(6)
organization jointly funded by the City of Santa
Barbara, the County of Santa Barbara, the South
Coast Tourism Business Improvement District
(TBID) and by a membership of hospitalityrelated businesses. As the official destination marketing organization for the Santa Barbara
South Coast, VSB is contracted by the City of
Santa Barbara to market the area as a premier
destination for leisure and business travel.
VSB’s Board of Directors is composed of business
owners and professionals who have the experience
and willingness to serve the community beyond
the scope of their demanding work schedules.
Their volunteer responsibilities include steering
company policy, building relationships with local
government, interpreting the needs and interests
of the community, shaping how VSB delivers
upon its mission and influencing the organization’s
future evolution.
About Visit Santa Barbara
VSB inspires overnight travel to the Santa Barbara
South Coast in order to enhance the community’s
economy and quality of life.
The Organization’s Mission
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 04
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 05
STRATEGY ONE
Position and Amplify the Santa Barbara
Brand to Target Markets
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, VSB achieved a
record-breaking 2,611 earned media placements
through strategic pitching, collaborations and
behind-the-scenes support. These placements
spanned traditional print books, which followed
years-long production processes; magazine and
newspaper articles; and television and radio
segments. Collectively, this impressive output had
the potential to inspire wanderlust in 101 million
viewers, listeners and readers. Moreover, an
additional 5.2 billion unique visitors per month
(UVM) were potentially reached in online pieces,
including in-depth travel stories and seasonal
roundups.
What the Media Are Saying
“Time and time again, Santa Barbara has proven
to be an unparalleled vacation destination.”
Travel + Leisure Online, May 2024
“This upscale beach town on California’s central
coast is full of famous residents—but it’s also one
of the world’s best places for wildlife watching.”
National Geographic Online, February 2024
“Santa Barbara encapsulates much of California’s
best tourist offerings… Whether you’re into rock
climbing, horseback riding or shopping and
wineries, Santa Barbara can be the perfect vacation
spot.” NerdWallet, October 2023
“Santa Barbara is the ultimate long weekend
destination in California. It’s more relaxing than
Los Angeles, but still a bustling beach town where
you won’t run out of activities.”
Observer, September 2023
“The palm tree-lined coast of this bougie SoCal
oasis has a Mediterranean flair and a magnificent
backdrop of scenic mountains and crystal blue
water.” Thrillist, June 2024
Top Media Coverage Highlights
• Two massive TV hits propelled Santa Barbara
into the spotlight in the spring, including a
segment on “The Jennifer Hudson Show”
(1.5 million viewers on 196 stations) and four
episodes of “American Idol” Season 7 (19.3
million viewers on 234 stations).
• In a dedicated destination story, Travel
+ Leisure Online (11.9 million UVM)
showcased the South Coast’s many charming
hotels, extolling Santa Barbara as a “respite
from the real world.” Earlier in the year,
Vogue Online (19 million UVM) published
an updated Santa Barbara hotel guide.
• Digital travel guides provided inspiration and
insights for prospective visitors, including
Lonely Planet Online’s (4.9 million UVM)
“First timer’s guide” to Santa Barbara, U.K.-
based Citizen Femme’s (31,945 UVM)
Montecito guide, NerdWallet’s (32 million
UVM) “Smart Money Tips,” a feature in USA
Today’s Go Escape and more.
• Several books with chapters on South Coast
cities were published this year, including
a new edition of “Fodor’s California”
guidebook; National Geographic Books’
“Here Not There,” which suggested “The
American Riviera®” as an alternative to the
European one; and Hardie Grant Travel’s
“Places We Swim,” featuring favorite regional
swim spots.
• Southern California media brought a
fresh perspective to this drive destination,
including travel coverage in Los Angeles
Magazine Online (739,582 UVM), Locale
Magazine Online (107,800 UVM), Orange
Coast Magazine (93,896 UVM, 56,080
circulation), San Diego’s Ranch & Coast
(12,465 UVM, 37,000 circulation) and
KSWB-TV Fox 5 Morning News (5,456
viewers).
06 PUBLIC RELATIONS
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
Top Media Coverage Highlights Continued
• International media brought attention to the
South Coast in standalone travel features,
including Vancouver Sun (1.4 million UVM,
123,326 circulation; also syndicated in 85
Canadian outlets), Toronto Star (5.3 million
UVM, 242,300 circulation), Canadian
House and Home (245,400 UVM, 67,962
circulation), the U.K.’s Observer (1.1
million UVM), U.K. luxury outlets House
of Coco Online (32,471 UVM) and
Arcadia Magazine (140,000 UVM, 160,000
circulation), Air France’s travel magazine
En-Vols (2.2 million UVM) and Spain’s
Telecinco Online (28.4 million UVM).
• The Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage
Area captivated imaginations, with several
high-profile media outlets publishing feature
stories, including National Geographic
Online (11.6 million UVM), Matador
Network (2.6 million UVM) and AFAR
Online (1.46 million UVM).
• In a fascinating travel feature, Travel +
Leisure Online (11.9 million UVM) explored
why Santa Barbara is called “The American
Riviera®.” The story was later referenced and
linked to in a myriad of stories about Meghan
Markle’s new brand, American Riviera
Orchard.
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 07
Quick Hits
Featuring Santa Barbara
• Sunset Magazine (376,208 UVM, 2.7
million circulation): “Best City Getaways”
• Thrillist Online (3.8 million UVM): “The 20
Greatest Beach Towns in the U.S.”
• CNN (134.2 million UVM): “Book a lastminute winter vacation in these top 10 warm destinations”
• InsideHook (2.4 million UVM): “The Best
Shoulder Season Destinations Around the
World”
• The Points Guy (6.5 million UVM): “The 10
best places to travel in August”
Featuring Montecito
• Bloomberg (28.5 million UVM): “Where to
Go in 2024”
• AFAR Online: “The Most Charming Beach
Towns in the United States”
• The Points Guy: “Where celebrities travel: 11
under-the-radar or perennially hot places to
visit in summer”
• The Telegraph (75.8 million UVM, 317,817
circulation): “The 20 greatest beaches in
America”
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 08
Media Relations & Familiarization Trips
Th e press trip program supported visits for 124
journalists over the last year, representing 85
domestic media and 39 international media
outlets—a 30% increase from the previous
year. Th ese trips provided an opportunity for
journalists to experience the Santa Barbara
South Coast fi rsthand, introducing some to
the region for the fi rst time and off ering fresh
perspectives to returning visitors. VSB tailored
itineraries to feature a range of neighborhoods,
lodging properties and attractions, resulting in
travel stories published in regional, national and
international outlets. VSB also partnered on
individual and group press trips initiated by area
businesses, such as hotels and restaurants, as well
as Visit California, amplifying their PR eff orts
with destination experiences and South Coast
perspectives.
To support VSB’s local lodging campaign, the
PR team secured media coverage in the area’s key
outlets, including a segment on KEYT Morning
News and stories on KEYT’s website, Siteline,
the Santa Barbara Independent, Noozhawk and
Edhat. Th e PR and marketing departments also
collaborated on staycations with local infl uencers
to reach Santa Barbara South Coast social media
audiences.
VSB hit the road to network with top-tier media,
pitch stories and showcase the destination at
out-of-market media trade shows. Among media
events attended by VSB were the International
Media Marketplace in New York, IPW in Los
Angeles, as well as several Visit California media
events, including a dinner in Chicago, media
reception in San Francisco and media mission to
Mexico City.
“The Santa Barbara Effect” Brand Campaign
VSB executed a strategic and comprehensive
advertising campaign, deploying digital, social,
video and print advertisements to highlight the
diverse vacation offerings of the Santa Barbara
South Coast. “The Santa Barbara Effect”
successfully encouraged potential travelers to
unwind and re-energize by promoting Santa
Barbara’s key attractions: outdoor recreation,
culinary and wine delights, arts and culture
experiences, luxury and wellness offerings and the
unique Santa Barbara lifestyle.
VSB’s media targeting strategy focused on
reaching individuals in ZIP codes with a proven
history of visiting the region’s hotels. Paid
advertisements were primarily directed towards
audiences in California and high-performing parts
of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota,
Montana, Nevada, New York, Texas, Utah,
Oregon, Washington and Washington, D.C.
Additionally, VSB targeted major metro airport
ZIP codes nationwide to capture active travelers
and individuals within high-income brackets.
To reach qualified travelers, VSB’s media strategy
included paid social media on Facebook,
Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, banner
and native ads through Expedia, Adara video
display ads and paid search through Google
and Bing. Print advertising included full-page
placements in high-profile magazines like
Hemispheres, San Diego Magazine and the 2024
California State Visitors Guide.
Overall, VSB’s media efforts successfully
maximized outreach, engaging new audience
groups and maintaining interest with returning
visitors. With a paid advertising budget of
$3,200,000, annual results exceeded all
performance outlined in the 2023-24 Annual
Business Plan in order to increase awareness and
facilitate trip planning to Santa Barbara.
• The cost per 1,000 ads delivered was $6.21,
generating 499 million impressions.
• The cost per 1,000 completed video views was
$18.94, generating 41.3 million completed
video views.
• The cost per website referral was $0.53,
generating 3.2 million website referrals.
09 MARKETING
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
SantaBarbaraCA.com
VSB’s official destination website saw significant
growth metrics, including a 2% increase in users,
a 2% increase in sessions and an 18% increase
in page views. While the site experienced a
2% decrease in referrals to overall businesses, a
strategic shift to prioritize referrals for lodging
businesses was successful and generated a 36%
increase in referrals to area accommodations,
surpassing the annual referral goal. In total,
SantaBarbaraCA.com generated 5.4 million
sessions, 8.2 million page views and 1.2 million
referrals to partner businesses.
To uphold VSB’s status as the premier source for
destination-related content, the editorial team
prioritized efforts to publish and refresh inspiring,
timely and thoughtful itineraries centered around
travel to the Santa Barbara South Coast. This
concerted effort resulted in an impressive 91
new articles and 276 optimized website pages.
Additional efforts to reach opt-in consumers
interested in receiving curated stories around
Santa Barbara resulted in 1.2 million newsletters
to consumer inboxes, generating an average open
rate of 57% and a total of 30,000 unique clicks.
In partnership with the Santa Barbara South
Coast Chamber of Commerce, specific efforts to
highlight Goleta through GoGoleta.com garnered
16,500 total users and 32,000 page views.
Weddings
To capitalize on the region’s unparalleled beauty
and romantic allure, VSB launched a paid
media and content marketing campaign to
position the Santa Barbara South Coast as the
premier destination for weddings. Stunning visual
assets and inspiring, yet informative content
were leveraged to showcase the diverse venues,
exceptional service and unique experiences
available to couples planning their special day. The
initial campaign catered to two primary audience
segments: couples local to California seeking a
memorable ceremony and out-of-state visitors
looking for the perfect destination wedding. With
a budget of $45,000, media partners Instagram,
Pinterest and Adgenuity served a series of digital
and native ads to targeted audiences, delivering
9.5 million impressions and 24,000 clicks back to
SantaBarbaraCA.com/wedding.
“Celebrate the Unexpected” Campaign
To promote spring and summer visitation to the
destination, VSB produced an episodic video series
titled, “Celebrate the Unexpected.” Composed of
four 45-second and eight 12-second videos, the
bi-weekly series followed two unexpected duos on
unforgettable adventures throughout the Santa
Barbara South Coast. Each story played on the
differences between the two stars as they traded
roles and convinced each other to embrace unique
experiences that resonated with their distinct
personalities, highlighting that there’s something
for everyone to enjoy when visiting The American
Riviera®. Promoted across Facebook, Instagram,
YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok and Connected TV,
the campaign was supported with a paid media
budget of $180,000, which generated 30 million
impressions and 4.4 million completed video
views.
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 10
VSB’s online presence continued to grow and
highlight the wonders of Th e American Riviera®
across eight social media platforms—Facebook,
Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest, YouTube,
LinkedIn and the newest addition Th reads.
Reaching 489,000 active followers—a 10%
increase from the previous year—a daily dose of
Santa Barbara inspiration generated 9 million
organic impressions and 7.6 million completed
video views from over 1,000 organic posts.
Seasonally-timed posts around signature events,
such as large festivals and historic celebrations,
along with visually captivating imagery featuring
Santa Barbara’s iconic architecture, beaches
and sunsets, resonated deeply with audiences
across Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Th e
production of short-form video content was
prioritized and off ered travelers a bite-sized
glimpse of what their Santa Barbara itinerary
could entail. Th is proved to be a successful tactic
as followers were eager to learn and engage with
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 11
Social Media
Santa Barbara content, demonstrated by 2.1
million engagements and 264,000 website
referrals—an 8% increase from the previous year.
In collaboration with the Santa Barbara South
Coast Chamber of Commerce, Goleta was
highlighted through the Go Goleta social media
channels garnering 86,000 impressions and
24,000 completed video views through 6,000
active followers on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Partner Advertising Program
VSB delivered substantial value to industry
partners by extending marketing dollars and high
value opportunities for TBID lodging properties
and VSB members to expand their reach among
potential travelers to the Santa Barbara South
Coast. Over 15.7 million impressions and
102,465 clicks were delivered to 35 participating
partners through tactical marketing programs
including digital, native, social and newsletter
placements. Annual ad revenue was $146,000.
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 12
STRATEGY TWO
Grow Overnight Demand
for the Destination
Th e past year represented record-breaking
performance from the group sales team. An
impressive 27,000 group room nights were sold,
marking a 19% increase in room nights from
the previous year. Interest in long-term bookings
continues to grow, with group planners feeling
optimistic for the future. Additionally, despite a
substantial growth in group sales performance,
the program budget experienced a more modest
9% increase year-over-year, indicating that the
group sales team managed to outpace budget
growth by effi ciently maximizing resources,
minimizing acquisition costs and maintaining
high productivity and effi ciency as a team.
Site Tours & Familiarization Trips
Th roughout the year, VSB was highly active in
cultivating relationships with hotel partners and
engaging with clients through diff erent partner
events. Th e team hosted six familiarization
trips, a wonderful opportunity to introduce
the destination’s deluxe and luxury hotels to 57
select clients from organizations such as BCD,
SCCMPI, Prestige and meeting planners loyal to
Delta Air Lines. Th e team traveled with partners
from local lodging properties to entertain clients
at numerous events, including a gala reception
in Atlanta, an Orange County nail salon event,
dinner in Denver, a charter cruise on the
Sacramento Brew Boat, a salon day in Dallas, a
private suite experience at Top Golf El Segundo
and a chocolate making and champagne sabering
event in Del Mar.
Additional sales missions, in partnership with
Visit California, included events where the Santa
Barbara story was presented to planners in New
York, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Trade Show Participation
Th ird-party trade shows were an excellent
opportunity for establishing new business
contacts. VSB showcased its expertise at esteemed
annual events such as IMEX, CALSAE, AMEX
Interaction, Meetings & Incentives Worldwide
and NorthStar’s Destination California and
Incentives events. Th e team participated with
proven partner Smart Meetings in their Northern
California, Southwest and Western events and
with proven partner Prestige in Seattle, Denver,
Salt Lake City and Texas. To uncover fresh leads
from previously unknown planners, the team
attended CEMA, Cvent Connect and Luxury
Meetings Summits in San Jose and Palo Alto for
the fi rst time. By staying actively engaged with
an array of diverse industry events, the sales team
eff ectively broadened its reach and strengthened
VSB’s connection with the professional
community.
Industry Events & Affi liations
DMO Alliances have proven to be highly
successful and continued to yield lucrative results
for the sales team. Dedicated managers for
Southern California, Northern California and the
Midwest worked diligently to create opportunities
through networking and client events in
partnership with other sales representatives from
California destinations. Additionally, VSB made
strategic sponsorship investments with Prestige,
HPN, HelmsBriscoe, CALSAE, SITE, Maritz,
PCMA, Conference Direct and MPI, increasing
the exposure of the sales team among prominent
meeting planners.
13 GROUP SALES
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
Educating the Travel Trade
Familiarization trips and sales missions eff ectively
educated travel advisors about the exceptional
off erings of the Santa Barbara South Coast. A total
of six trips were hosted, providing curated groups
of advisors and buyers with a fi rsthand view of
the region. Attendees included eight associates
from Connections Luxury, six advisors based in
Australia, 13 advisors based in France, six luxury
buyers attending ILTM Proud, three executives
from Black Diamond UK and a 23-buyer postIPW tour. VSB also traveled to Western Canada for a multi-day roadshow, where the team met
with over 270 travel advisors and told the story of
Santa Barbara’s favorable climate and attractions,
especially appealing to the snowbird market in
Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Th roughout
the year, the team also welcomed independent
visits from several travel agents, showcasing the
beautiful destination to agencies such as domestic
Hara Group Travel, UK-based Audley Travel
and American Aff air, China’s Hyde Group and
Buitengewoon Reizen from the Netherlands.
Trade Show Participation
At IPW, U.S. Travel Association’s largest annual
international trade show, VSB partnered with
two hotels and conducted 124 client meetings,
while also attending various networking events.
Visit California showcased Santa Barbara County
through an expansive activation each day of the
IPW show. In collaboration with Visit Santa Ynez
Valley and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash
Indians, VSB hosted a wine experience with
guest vintners serving Santa Barbara wines and
connecting with over 7,000 attendees. At Virtuoso
Travel Week, a four-day event attracting over
5,000 attendees, VSB and hotel partners held 144
appointments and attended multiple networking
events with luxury advisors.
Connections Luxury Forum off ered meaningful
interactions through 20 shared experiences with
buyers. Other shows included the Cal Cup
multi-day golf event, Prost Beach Cities, Prost
Desert Cities, Go West and ILTM Proud. Th ese
events resulted in over 250 scheduled meetings
with travel advisors and countless networking
opportunities.
Building Relationships
Over the past year, VSB renewed and strengthened
its international presence by contracting with
Black Diamond for representation in the UK
and Ireland. Additional collaboration with Visit
California and fellow DMOs provided exposure
to advisors and buyers. To further connect
with drive markets, the team participated in
several Prost networking events in Southern
California and Palm Springs, as well as engaged
with over 140 business travel professionals at
Los Angeles Business Travel Association and the
Global Business Travel Association. Th ese robust
partnerships and events signifi cantly expanded
VSB’s outreach and created opportunities to
promote Santa Barbara’s unique off erings.
14 TRAVEL TRADE SALES
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
Th ird Night Free Lodging Campaign
Th e Th ird Night Free campaign, an evergreen
lodging property promotion, achieved its goal
of boosting non-commission, direct bookings to
extend overnight stays on the South Coast. Over
the past year, 27 properties participated, off ering a
complimentary night on a three-night stay, along
with supporting lodging discounts and off ers.
A robust advertising strategy encompassed paid
consumer emails through Travelzoo, Dunhill
Travel Deals and Luxury Link. Paid social media
and promotion across VSB’s website, email and
social media platforms generated 189 million
impressions, 1.2 million page views and 255,000
referrals to participating hotels. A media spend of
$921,000 yielded a cost per referral of $4.76.
Locals Lodging Campaign
VSB introduced an in-market lodging promotion
encouraging locals and their visiting friends
and family to stay at one of 22 participating
accommodations with a 30% discount on
staycations from November 2023 through May
2024. Designed to fi ll vacant rooms during the
shoulder season, VSB positioned the campaign
as a unique opportunity for the community
to celebrate their hometown and experience
the activities and amenities vacationers from
around the globe travel to Santa Barbara for.
Th e campaign generated 43,000 page views and
20,000 referrals to participating hotels. To spark
interest within the local community, VSB invested
$63,581 in media across social, print, digital,
streaming and radio, which generated a cost-perreferral of $7.26. 15 ADVERTISING
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
STRATEGY THREE
Champion Positive Visitor Experiences
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 16
Workforce Development
To meet the staffi ng needs of local hospitality
businesses and enhance visitor experiences within
the Santa Barbara South Coast, VSB continued to
prioritize workforce development. In collaboration
with seven local organizations, VSB co-hosted
State Street Job Fairs in September and April,
featuring 154 local businesses and attracting over
700 job seekers for various positions.
VSB also continued its partnership with the Santa
Barbara South Coast Chamber on the Hospitality
Inspiration Campaign, aimed at attracting and
retaining staff within the hospitality industry.
Th is initiative highlighted local success stories
through paid advertisements across multiple
platforms, directing individuals to a dedicated
website featuring motivational stories and current
job openings. Over the past year the campaign
generated 7.1 million impressions (digital/radio)
and 117,000 page views on the campaign website.
Ambassador Training
Th e I Am Santa Barbara training program was
off ered monthly, free of charge, to front-line
hospitality staff . Th is one-hour training session,
led by the community partnerships department
staff , increased participants’ awareness of the
destination and covered topics such as the impact
of tourism, local history, destination off erings,
hospitality services and handling sensitive topics.
Upon completion, attendees received a certifi cate
and had the opportunity to win a variety of
prizes. Ten sessions certifi ed 126 Santa Barbara
Ambassadors. Attendees praised the program for
its knowledgeable presenters, engaging content
and comprehensive local information, fi nding
it highly benefi cial and enjoyable, with many
recommending the training to others.
17 Airline Partnership
To encourage travelers to take advantage of
nonstop fl ights to Santa Barbara from Sacramento,
Oakland, Las Vegas and Denver, VSB partnered
with Southwest Airlines® on a paid social media
campaign aimed at raising awareness of the Santa
Barbara South Coast and stimulating year-round
air travel bookings. Th rough a series of dynamic
advertisements, highlighting the convenience
of travel and the wonders that await in Santa
Barbara, this annual campaign brought in a total
of 45 million impressions and 211,000 link clicks
to Southwest.com as the result of a $133,000 paid
media spend.
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Community Events
VSB supported numerous local events, including
the Goleta Lemon Festival, Santa Barbara
Culinary Experience, Stearns Wharf 4th of July,
UCSB Alumni Weekend, World of Pinot Noir,
NatureTrack Film Festival, Black is Beautiful
Gala, Oceans Future Gala and Pianos on State
Street. VSB provided fi nancial sponsorship and
in-kind marketing assistance through its owned
channels—SantaBarbaraCA.com, social media,
e-newsletters and public relations outreach—
to enhance interest and drive attendance.
Additionally, VSB off ered promotional support
through these channels for a variety of other local
events and festivals that aligned with the Santa
Barbara brand.
In September, the VSB team participated in the
Hospitality Summer Games, competing against
nine hotels in challenges such as bed making,
server obstacle courses, mini-golf, bike building,
a cake competition and a talent show. Th is event
fostered camaraderie, boosted morale and resulted
in the donation of seven bicycles to the Boys &
Girls Club.
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 18
STRATEGY FOUR
Strengthen the Organization’s
Eff ectiveness
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 19
Membership
Th e community partnerships department
enhanced member benefi ts by adding new
business events and networking opportunities over
the past year. Th e department actively engaged
with stakeholders through a diverse range of
programming, including gatherings, training
sessions, seminars and educational classes. Th e
team focused on strengthening relationships while
seeking new partnerships and collaborations
across the community. With 277 total members,
including 34 new additions, VSB achieved an 8%
year-over-year growth in membership.
Member Events
In January, VSB’s Tourism Summit at Cabrillo
Pavilion welcomed nearly 200 attendees. VSB
presented fi ndings from the latest visitor profi le
and economic impact study, highlighting key
insights about visitors, cruise ship guests and Santa
Barbara Airport passengers. Th e event featured
networking opportunities against the stunning
coastline backdrop.
VSB’s Annual General Meeting and luncheon,
held in May at Rosewood Miramar Beach,
garnered 218 attendees and featured a panel
of experts discussing wellness topics, a market
showcasing local wellness-focused businesses and
products and a complimentary sound bath session
by Palma Colectiva. Th e event earned media
coverage from Noozhawk, Santa Barbara Life &
Style magazine, KEYT and KCLU.
VSB hosted monthly Lunch & Learn sessions on
diverse topics such as maximizing membership,
cannabis and tourism, group sales, the Sunfl ower
Hidden Disability Program, cooperative
advertising opportunities and generative AI. Th e
most sought-after sessions included a wine seminar
with Santa Barbara Vintners and Margerum
Wine Company as well as a holiday showcase
at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. In
total, this series attracted 237 attendees (a 46%
increase from the previous year) and received
positive feedback on both content and networking
opportunities.
VSB’s quarterly Meet & Mingle networking
events included a celebration at Pearl Social, a
nautical-themed event at Santa Barbara Maritime
Museum, a tour and guided art activity at
Workzones, a robotics-themed event at MOXI,
Th e Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
and a creative gathering at Crafter’s Library.
Each event off ered light bites, beverages and
activities, attracting over 200 participants who
built community connections and enjoyed prize
giveaways.
New this year, VSB added the New Member Open
House series to highlight businesses that recently
joined our association. Th e inaugural event at La
Lieff Winery, a maritime adventure aboard Lil’
Toot and a wine tasting at Summerland Winery
off ered members opportunities to explore venues,
interact with staff and learn about local off erings.
20 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
21 Accommodations Employment
2022-2023 Avg. 2023-2024 Avg. % Change
Santa Barbara County 5,075 5,025 -1%
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
TRAVEL TRENDS FY 2023-2024
Santa Barbara South Coast TBID Hotel Performance
2022-2023 Avg. 2023-2024 Avg. % Change
Occupancy 70% 70% 0%
Average Daily Rate (ADR) $346.48 $332.71 -4%
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) $241.10 $232.11 -4% Demand (Room Nights) 1,298,477 1,323,217 2%
Supply ( Room Nights) 1,866,024 1,896,691 2%
Gross Revenue $449,891,243 $440,245,933 -2%
Airline Passenger Volume
2022-2023 Avg. 2023-2024 Avg. % Change
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport 1,278,224 1,314,660 3%
Weather at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
2022-2023 Avg. 2023-2024 Avg. % Change
Average High Temperature (°F) 68.5 70.4 N/A
Total Precipitation (Inches) 28.8 25.5 -11%
Days of Precipitation 54 46 -15%
Rebecca Anderson, Ganna Walska Lotusland
Jens Baake, Acme Hospitality
Greg Broussard, Santa Barbara Hotel Collection
Janis Clapoff, El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel
Chris Cline, Hotel Santa Barbara
Rick Fidel, Rosewood Miramar Beach
Treg Finney, Mar Monte Hotel
Andrew Firestone, StonePark Capital
Nick Gillio, Drift Hotel Santa Barbara
Dan Glaeser, Montecito Bank & Trust
Robert Glock, Hotel Milo
Richard Good, El Capitan Canyon
Babett Hirzel, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Steven Janicek, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
Alison Laslett, Santa Barbara Vintners
Michael Martz, Hayes Commercial Group
Samantha Onnen, Santa Barbara Airbus
Tom Patton, Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara
Anne Petersen, Trust for Historic Preservation
David Sigman, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
Ben Sprague, Earl Warren Showgrounds
Ex Officio Advisors
Chris Hastert, Santa Barbara Airport
Mayor Pro Tempore Mike Jordan, Santa Barbara City Council Mayor Pro Tempore Luz Reyes-Martín, Goleta City Council Kristen Miller, Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce 22 2023-2024 Board of Directors
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report
ADMINISTRATION
Kathy Janega-Dykes, President/CEO
James Minton, Vice President
Jennifer Reyes, Executive Assistant
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Noelle Buben, Director of Community Partnerships & Events Catherine Bronge, Community Partnerships Manager
MARKETING
JessyLynn Perkins, Director of Marketing
Carly Hopkins, Creative Manager
Olivia Long, Digital Marketing Manager
Shantel Adams, Web Marketing Manager
Taylon Faltas, Content Manager
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Karna Hughes, Director of Public Relations
Anna (Jacobson) Naughton, Public Relations Manager
Brooke Holland, Public Relations Manager
Whitney Wiser, Public Relations Coordinator
SALES
Beth Olson, CDME, Director of Sales
Catherine “Cat” Puccino, Director of National Accounts
Maren Beneke, Leisure Sales Manager
Mark Feldman, Sales Representative, Northern California Suzy Kay, Sales Representative, Southern California
Visit Santa Barbara Staff
Visit Santa Barbara 2023-2024 Report 23
500 East Montecito Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(800) 676-1266 | (805) 966-9222
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: City Administrator’s Office
SUBJECT: Appointment to Fire and Police Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council make an appointment to the Fire and Police Commission.
DISCUSSION:
Currently, there is 1 position available for appointment to the Fire and Police Commission.
On January 28, 2025, the Council interviewed applicants for this position.
The Guidelines for the City of Santa Barbara Advisory Groups, Resolution No. 24-021, states that applicants are required to appear for an interview before the City Council.
The names of applicants failing to appear for an interview are removed from the list of those eligible for appointment. Attachment 1 is a list of all applicants that are eligible for appointment.
The appointment to the Fire and Police Commission will be effective immediately.
ATTACHMENT: 1. List of Eligible Applicants
PREPARED AND
SUBMITTED BY: Norma Welche, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
Agenda Item No. 10
File Code No. 140.05
ATTACHMENT 1
1 Fire and Police Commission Special Recruitment 2025
FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION
One vacancy.
Term Expiration: December 31, 2026
Qualifications/Categories: Member must be a qualified elector* of the City. Members also cannot be an individual or attorney who represents a person or entity with a pending claim or lawsuit against the Fire or Police Department, or any of their officers or employees; and cannot be any current or former law enforcement officer or firefighter, or where relevant or comparable any member of the public , who has a sustained finding of serious misconduct made by any law enforcement agency, independent investigator contracted by a public agency, or court. Appointees may not hold any full-time paid office or employment in City government.
CATEGORY
(Number of
Vacancies)
APPLICANT
Incumbent
Appt. Dates
(Years Served)
Applicant’s
Preference
(1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Notes
Andy Barrad
Qualified Elector of Alberto Lapuz
the City (1)
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: City Administrator’s Office
SUBJECT: Granting Consent to the County of Santa Barbara to Establish the Santa Barbara County Wine Business Improvement District (SBC Wine BID) and Include Territory Within the City of Santa Barbara in the Established District [Resolution]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Granting Consent to the County of Santa Barbara to Establish the Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District (SBC Wine BID) and Include Territory Within the City of Santa Barbara in the Established District.
DISCUSSION:
The SBC Wine BID is a benefit assessment district proposed to create a revenue source to help fund destination sales and marketing promotions for Santa Barbara County wine tasting facilities. This approach has been used successfully in other destination areas throughout the state to increase assessed wine tasting facility sales and revenue. Wine tasting facility business owners decided to pursue formation of the SBC Wine BID in order to establish a revenue source devoted to promoting Santa Barbara County wine testing facilities. If established, the SBC Wine BID is estimated to generate approximately $1,650,000 on an annual basis for promotion of wine tasting facilities specific to Santa Barbara County.
The proposed SBC Wine BID includes all wine tasting facilities, existing and in the future, located within the boundaries of the County, including those within the unincorporated areas of the County, and the cities that consent to inclusion.. State law requires consent by city councils before the county includes city territory within a BID. The County Board of Supervisors has adopted a resolution requesting such consent by each city within the County.
Agenda Item No. 11
File Code No. 290.00
Council Agenda Report
Granting Consent to the County of Santa Barbara to Establish the Santa Barbara County Wine Business Improvement District (SBC Wine BID) and Include Territory Within the City of Santa Barbara in the Established District [Resolution] February 4, 2025
WINE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
Wine Business Improvement Districts (Wine BIDs) are special assessment districts that allow assessed business owners to organize their efforts to increase promotions & engagement. Business owners within the Wine BID fund the Wine BID, and those funds are used to provide services that are desired by and benefit the assessed businesses within the Wine BID.
Wine BID benefits include:
They are customized to fit the needs of each destination; They allow for a range of services, including: promotion, engagement, and sales lead generation;
They are designed, created, and governed by those who will pay the assessment; and
They provide a stable funding source for promotion of assessed businesses.
Wine BIDs are primarily formed pursuant to the Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994 (94 Law). This law allows for the creation of special benefit assessment districts to raise funds within a specific geographic area. The key difference between Wine BIDs and other special benefit assessment districts is that funds raised are returned to the private non-profit corporation governing the Wine BID.
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PLAN
The Management District Plan (Attachment 1) includes the proposed boundary of the SBC Wine BID, a service plan and budget, and a proposed means of governance. The SBC Wine BID will include all wine tasting facilities, existing and in the future, located within the boundaries of the County, including the unincorporated areas of the County, and areas within the boundaries of the cities that consent to inclusion within the SBC Wine BID.
The annual assessment rate is 1% of gross sales revenue of assessed wine tasting facilities. Based on the benefit received, assessments will not be collected on purchases made outside of the state of California or purchases made pursuant to contracts executed prior to March 1, 2025. Revenue generated from the SBC Wine BID is intended only to provide programs and services for assessed businesses, all of which are located in California. Sales made outside of the state of California are not subject to assessment due to a lack of benefit. Assessment dollars may only be spent on programs or activities to benefit wine tasting facilities within the SBC Wine BID boundaries. Assessment dollars may be spent on marketing activities outside of California to elevate the notoriety of Santa Barbara County as a premier winery destination with the desired outcome of increased in-person visitation to businesses paying the assessment.
Council Agenda Report
Granting Consent to the County of Santa Barbara to Establish the Santa Barbara County Wine Business Improvement District (SBC Wine BID) and Include Territory Within the City of Santa Barbara in the Established District [Resolution] February 4, 2025
The proposed SBC Wine BID will have a five year term, beginning March 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, and ending five years from its start date. The assessment will be implemented beginning March 1, 2025. Once per year beginning on the anniversary of SBC Wine BID formation there is a 30 day period in which business owners paying 50% or more of the assessment may protest and begin proceedings to terminate the SBC Wine BID.
A third-party collection agency will be responsible for collecting the assessment on a quarterly basis from each assessed wine tasting facility. The third-party collection agency shall forward the assessments to the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association, which will have the responsibility of managing SBC Wine BID programs as provided in the Management District Plan. The third-party collection agency shall be paid a fee of up to 2% of the amount of assessment collected to cover its costs of collection and administration.
At the December 17, 2024 Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors (Board) meeting, the Board voted to adopt a resolution (Attachment 2) requesting consent of the cities, though their City Councils, to form the SBC Wine BID and grant the Board juristidication for all purposes in connection with the creation, operation, and future renewals of the proposed SBC Wine BID.
SUPPORT FOR THE WINE BID
Currently, 60% of wineries, based on assessed value, within the proposed SBC Wine BID support the formation of a Wine BID. While the larger wineries will make the majority of the assessment contributions, the smaller wineries will now have the opportunity to participate in the region’s collective success, even as the larger wineries provide a level of marketing not typically available to a small winery. Both large and small wineries are supportive of the Wine BID effort. The City of Santa Barbara and its staff have not participated in the promotion of the proposed SBC Wine BID.
Council Agenda Report
Granting Consent to the County of Santa Barbara to Establish the Santa Barbara County Wine Business Improvement District (SBC Wine BID) and Include Territory Within the City of Santa Barbara in the Established District [Resolution] February 4, 2025
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
None immediately. Because the SBC Wine BID programs are intended to increase visitation to wine tasting facilities in the County, including the City of Santa Barbara, there may be an increase in sales tax collections and/or other tourism related revenues, including Transient Occupancy Tax.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. SBC Wine BID Management District Plan
2. Adopted Resolution of the County of Santa Barbara Requesting Consent from the City of Santa Barbara
PREPARED AND
SUBMITTED BY: Brandon Beaudette, Senior Assistant to the City Administrator APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
2025-2030
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY WINE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PLAN
November 26, 2024 Prepared pursuant to the Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994, Streets and Highways Code Section 36600 et seq.
ATTACHMENT 1
Table of Contents
I. Overview .............................................................................................................................3 II. Background..........................................................................................................................5 III. Boundary .............................................................................................................................6 IV. Assessment Budget and Services ...........................................................................................7 A.Annual Service Plan..................................................................................................................................7 B.Annual Budget...........................................................................................................................................9 C.California Constitutional Compliance....................................................................................................9 D.Assessment...............................................................................................................................................10 E.Penalties and Interest .............................................................................................................................11 F. Time and Manner for Collecting Assessments...................................................................................12 V. Governance .......................................................................................................................13 A.Owners’ Association...............................................................................................................................13 B. Brown Act and California Public Records Act Compliance ............................................................13 C.Annual Report.........................................................................................................................................13 Appendix 1 – Law......................................................................................................................14 Appendix 2 – Assessed Businesses..............................................................................................26 Prepared by
Civitas
(800)999-7781
www.civitasadvisors.com
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 3
November 26, 2024
I. OVERVIEW
Developed by Santa Barbara County wine tasting facilities and the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association (SBCVA), a non-profit organization, and the County of Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District (SBCWID) is an assessment district proposed to provide specific benefits to payors, by funding promotions & engagement efforts with the goal to advance assessed businesses in Santa Barbara County. This approach has been used successfully in other wine regions throughout the country to provide the benefit of driving increased business sales directly to payors.
Location: The SBCWID includes all wine tasting facilities, existing and in the future, located within the boundaries of the County of Santa Barbara (County), which includes the unincorporated areas of the County, and the cities of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang, Buellton, Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Guadalupe, as shown on the map in Section III.
Services: The SBCWID is designed to provide specific benefits directly to payors by increasing wine tasting facility sales and revenue therefrom. Promotions & engagement will promote assessed wine tasting facilities in the SBCWID to increase wine tasting facility sales revenue.
Budget: The total SBCWID annual assessment budget for the initial year of its five (5) year operation is anticipated to be approximately $1,650,000. A similar budget is expected to apply to subsequent years, but this budget is expected to fluctuate as sales do and as businesses open and close.
Cost: The annual assessment rate is one percent (1%) of gross sales revenue of assessed wine tasting facilities. Based on the benefit received, assessments will not be collected on purchases made outside of the state of California or purchases made pursuant to contracts executed prior to April 1, 2025. Revenue generated from the SBCWID is intended only to provide programs and services for assessed businesses, all of which are located in California. Sales made outside of the state of California are not subject to assessment due to a lack of benefit. Assessment dollars will not be spent on any programs or activities to benefit individual wine tasting facilities outside of the state of California. Assessment dollars may be spent outside of California to elevate the notoriety of the Santa Barbara County as a premier winery destination with the desired outcome of increased in-person visitation to businesses paying the assessment.
Collection: A third-party collection agency shall be responsible for collecting the assessment on a quarterly basis (including any delinquencies, overdue charges and interest) from each assessed wine tasting facility located in the boundaries of the SBCWID. The thirdparty collection agency shall take all reasonable efforts to collect the assessments from each assessed wine tasting facility.
Duration: The SBCWID will have a five (5) year life, beginning on April 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter, and ending five (5) years from the start date. After five (5) years, the SBCWID may be renewed pursuant to the Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994, Streets and Highways Code section 36600 et seq. (94 Law) if assessed business owners support continuing the SBCWID programs.
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 4
November 26, 2024
Management: The SBCVA will serve as the Owners’ Association to provide improvements and activities for the SBCWID. The Owners’ Association must provide an annual report on activities and expenditures to the County, which is also available to assessed business owners.
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 5
November 26, 2024
II. BACKGROUND
Wine Improvement Districts are an evolution of the traditional Business Improvement District (BID).
BIDs utilize the efficiencies of private sector operation in the market-based promotion of business districts. BIDs allow business owners to organize their efforts to increase sales and promotional efforts. Business owners within the district fund a BID, and those funds are used to provide services that the businesses desire and benefit the businesses within the district.
Business Improvement District services may include, but are not limited to:
➢ Marketing of the District
➢ Business Promotion Activities
➢ Infrastructure Improvements
In California, BIDs are formed pursuant to the 94 Law. This law allows for the creation of special benefit assessment districts to raise funds within a specific geographic area. The key difference between BIDs and other special benefit assessment districts is that funds raised are managed by the private non-profit corporation governing the district.
There are many benefits to Business Improvement Districts:
➢ Funds cannot be diverted for other government programs; ➢ Services are customized to fit the needs of each district; ➢ They allow for a wide range of services, including those listed above; ➢ Business Improvement Districts are designed, created and governed by those who will pay the assessment; and
➢ They provide a stable funding source for business promotion.
The 94 Law is provided in Appendix 1 of this document.
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 6
November 26, 2024
III. BOUNDARY
The SBCWID will include all wine tasting facilities, existing and in the future, located within the boundaries of the County, which includes the unincorporated areas of the County, and the cities of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang, Buellton, Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Guadalupe, as shown on the map below.
Wine tasting facility means: A business, primarily used for the retail marketing and sales of wine and related goods, open to all settings at which wine and related goods can be sold, including but not limited to: publicly available settings, by appointment only reservations, private and exclusive tastings, or other public or private events where wine and related goods may be sold. Wine tasting facility includes, but is not limited to, vineyard locations with onsite tastings, hospitality and retail rooms on site at producing wineries, and stand-alone tasting rooms in commercial areas. All wine tasting facilities must possess a 02 Department of Alcohol Beverage Control license.
A complete listing of assessed wine tasting facilities within the SBCWID can be found in Appendix 2.
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 7
November 26, 2024
IV. ASSESSMENT BUDGET AND SERVICES
A. Annual Service Plan
Assessment funds will be spent to provide specific benefits conferred or privileges granted directly to the payors that are not provided to those not charged, and which do not exceed the reasonable cost to the County of conferring the benefits or granting the privileges. The privileges and services provided with the SBCWID funds are promotions & engagement available only to assessed businesses.
A service plan assessment budget has been developed to deliver services that benefit the assessed businesses. A detailed annual assessment budget will be developed and approved by SBCVA. The chart below illustrates the initial annual assessment budget allocations. These activities and allocations will also apply in subsequent years. The total initial assessment budget is estimated to be $1,650,000.
Although actual revenues will fluctuate due to market conditions, the proportional allocations of the assessment budget shall remain the same. However, the County and the SBCVA board shall have the authority to adjust budget allocations between the categories by no more than twenty percent (20%) of the total budget per year. A description of the proposed improvements and activities for the initial year of operation is below. The same activities are proposed for subsequent years. In the event of a legal challenge against the SBCWID and/or the County, any and all assessment funds may be used for the costs of defending the SBCWID and/or the County. The costs of creating the SBCWID may be repaid to SBCVA reserves by deducting repayment funds proportionally from budget categories.
Each budget category includes all costs related to providing that service. For example, the promotions & engagement budget includes the cost of staff time dedicated to overseeing and implementing the promotions & engagement program. Staff time dedicated purely to administrative tasks is allocated to the administration portion of the budget. The costs of an individual staff member may be allocated to multiple budget categories. The staffing levels necessary to provide the services below will be determined by the Owners’ Association on an as-needed basis.
Promotions & Engagement, 73%
$1,204,500
Administration, 20%
$330,000
Contingency / Reserve, 5%
$82,500
Collection Fee, 2%
$33,000
Initial Annual Assessment Budget -
$1,650,000
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 8
November 26, 2024
Promotions & Engagement
The promotions & engagement program will promote Santa Barbara County as a premium winegrowing region and a premier global wine destination and leader in the global wine community.
The promotions & engagement program will have a central theme of promoting Santa Barbara County as a desirable place to visit and a desirable area to purchase wines. The program has the goal of increasing visitation, retail sales at and recognition for assessed wine tasting facilities, and may include the following activities:
• Brand development initiatives to increase awareness and demand for assessed wine tasting facilities;
• Create innovative ways to deliver Santa Barbara County content to potential visitors to increase awareness and demand for assessed wine tasting facilities; • Customer segmentation, market analysis, and other research to increase awareness and demand for wine tasting facilities;
• Digital marketing initiatives and campaigns to increase awareness and demand for wine tasting facilities;
• Maintain and optimize SBCountyWines.com, and Santa Barbara Vintners social media channels to showcase the breadth of reasons to visit the destination to increase awareness and demand for assessed wine tasting facilities;
• Festivals and events to increase demand for Santa Barbara County wine from assessed wine tasting facilities;
• Support education regarding cultivation practices, water management, vineyard management, and other viticulture practices for assessed wineries;
• Support education amongst assessed wineries to cultivate wine expertise and community among assessed wineries’
• Educational workshops for assessed wine tasting facilities to increase visitation and sales as assessed wine tasting facilities; and
• Developing and implementing crisis communication plans during disaster events within the SBCWID.
The Owners’ Association will also build and maintain relationships with County and City governments to educate local leaders on issues that impact assessed wine tasting facilities, while refraining from activities that seek to influence legislation. Education and engagement will include collaboration with the County Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, Farm Bureau, and Department of Agriculture, as well as City Councils.
Administration and Operations
The administration and operations portion of the budget shall be utilized for administrative staffing costs, office costs and other general administrative costs such as insurance, legal, and accounting fees.
A portion of the budget may be used to cover the cost of a third-party to audit the SBCWID assessment funds as well as businesses paying the SCBWID assessment. The results of the audit shall be made available to the County, SBCVA, and businesses paying the SBCWID assessment.
Collection Fee
A third-party collection agency shall be paid a fee up to two percent (2%) of the amount of assessment collected to cover its costs of collection and administration.
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 9
November 26, 2024
Contingency / Reserve
The budget includes a contingency line item to account for lower than anticipated assessments or higher than expected program costs. If there are contingency funds collected, they may be held in a reserve fund or utilized for other programs, administration, or renewal costs at the discretion of the Owners’ Association. Policies relating to contributions to the reserve fund, the target amount of the reserve fund, and expenditure of monies from the reserve fund shall be set by the Owners’ Association. Contingency/reserve funds may be spent on SBCWID programs or administrative and renewal costs in such proportions as determined by the Owners’ Association. The reserve fund may be used for the costs of renewing the SBCWID.
B. Annual Budget
The total five (5) year assessment budget is projected at approximately $1,650,000 annually, or approximately $8,250,000 through 2030. This amount may fluctuate as sales do and as wine tasting facilities open and close.
C. California Constitutional Compliance
The SBCWID assessment is not a property-based assessment subject to the requirements of Proposition 218. Courts have found Proposition 218 limited the term ‘assessments’ to levies on real property.1 Rather, the SBCWID assessment is a business-based assessment, and is subject to Proposition 26. Pursuant to Proposition 26 all levies are a tax unless they fit one of seven exceptions.
Two of these exceptions apply to the SBCWID, a “specific benefit” and a “specific government service.” Both require that the costs of benefits or services do not exceed the reasonable costs to the County of conferring the benefits or providing the services.
1. Specific Benefit
Proposition 26 requires that assessment funds be expended on, “a specific benefit conferred or privilege granted directly to the payor that is not provided to those not charged, and which does not exceed the reasonable costs to the local government of conferring the benefit or granting the privilege.”2 The services in this Plan are designed to provide targeted benefits directly to assessed businesses, and are intended only to provide benefits and services directly to those businesses paying the assessment. These services are tailored not to serve the general public, businesses in general, or parcels of land, but rather to serve the specific businesses within SBCWID. The activities described in this Plan are specifically targeted to increase sales for assessed wine tasting facilities within the boundaries of the SBCWID, and are narrowly tailored. SBCWID funds will be used exclusively to provide the specific benefit of increased sales revenue directly to the assessees. Assessment funds shall not be used to feature non-assessed wine tasting facilities in SBCWID programs, or to directly generate sales for non-assessed wine tasting facilities. The activities paid for from assessment revenues are business services constituting and providing specific benefits to the assessed wine tasting facilities.
The assessment imposed by this SBCWID is for a specific benefit conferred directly to the payors that is not provided to those not charged. The specific benefit conferred directly to the payors is an increase in wine tasting facility sales revenue. The specific benefit of an increase in sales revenue for assessed wine tasting facilities will be provided only to wine tasting facilities paying the district assessment, with promotions & engagement promoting wine tasting facilities paying the SBCWID assessment. The promotions & engagement programs will be designed to increase sales revenue at each assessed wine tasting facility. Because they are necessary to provide the promotions & engagement that specifically benefit the assessed wine tasting facilities, the administration and 1 Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association v. City of San Diego (1999) 72 Cal App. 4th 230 2 Cal. Const. art XIII C § 1(e)(1)
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 10
November 26, 2024
contingency services also provide the specific benefit of increased sales revenue to the wine tasting facilities.
Although the SBCWID, in providing specific benefits to payors, may produce incidental benefits to non-paying businesses, the incidental benefit does not preclude the services from being considered a specific benefit. The legislature has found that, “A specific benefit is not excluded from classification as a ‘specific benefit’ merely because an indirect benefit to a nonpayor occurs incidentally and without cost to the payor as a consequence of providing the specific benefit to the payor.”3
2. Specific Government Service
The assessment may also be utilized to provide, “a specific government service or product provided directly to the payor that is not provided to those not charged, and which does not exceed the reasonable costs to the local government of providing the service or product.” 4 The legislature has
recognized that promotions & engagement services like those to be provided by the SBCWID are government services within the meaning of Proposition 265. Further, the legislature has determined that “a specific government service is not excluded from classification as a ‘specific government service’ merely because an indirect benefit to a nonpayor occurs incidentally and without cost to the payor as a consequence of providing the specific government service to the payor.”6
3. Reasonable Cost
SBCWID services will be implemented carefully to ensure they do not exceed the reasonable cost of such services. The full amount assessed will be used to provide the services described herein. Funds will be managed by the SBCVA, and reports submitted on an annual basis to the County. Only assessed wine tasting facilities will be featured in marketing materials, receive sales leads generated from SBCWID-funded activities, be featured in advertising campaigns, and benefit from other SBCWID-funded services. Non-assessed wine tasting facilities will not receive these, nor any other, SBCWID-funded services and benefits.
D. Assessment
The annual assessment rate is one percent (1%) of gross sales revenue of assessed wine tasting facilities. Based on the benefit received, assessments will not be collected on purchases made outside of the state of California or purchases made pursuant to contracts executed prior to April 1, 2025.
Revenue generated from the SBCWID is intended only to provide programs and services for assessed wine tasting facilities, all of which are located in California. Sales made outside of the state of California are not subject to assessment due to a lack of benefit. Assessment dollars will not be spent on any programs or activities to benefit individual wine tasting facilities outside of the state of California.
Assessment dollars may be spent outside of California to elevate the notoriety of the San Barbara County as a premier winery destination with the desired outcome of increased in-person visitation to business paying the assessment.
The assessment was calculated based on the total cost of the activities to be provided for the benefit of the businesses within the SBCWID with costs allocated based on the proportional benefit conferred to each business. Activities funded by the SBCWID are specifically targeted to increase wine tasting facility sales revenue at assessed businesses. All wine tasting facility sales do not represent the same benefit to the payors. For example, a higher priced wine tasting facility is of greater benefit than a 3 Government Code § 53758(a)
4 Cal. Const. art XIII C § 1(e)(2)
5 Government Code § 53758(b)
6 Government Code § 53758(b)
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 11
November 26, 2024
lower priced wine tasting facility because the assessee derives greater revenue. To account for this benefit differential and to make sure the benefits are proportional, an assessment formula based on a percentage of revenue has been selected. The proposed formula accurately reflects greater benefit to assessed businesses with higher priced wine tasting facility sales.
The term “gross sales revenue” as used herein means: all direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales of wine, wine club shipments (whether shipped or picked up), ticket sales, tasting fees, tours and private and public special events, merchandise, prepared foods for on-premise or off-premise consumption (whether sold in a tasting room or a stand-alone restaurant on-premise), orders placed via telemarketing, telephone, online, email, whether carried out at the time of purchase, shipped or picked up at a later date (pre-sales). Gross sales revenue shall not include any federal, state or local taxes collected, including but not limited to sales and use taxes.
The assessment is levied upon and a direct obligation of the assessed wine tasting facility. However, the assessed wine tasting facility may, at its discretion, pass the assessment on to customers. The amount of assessment, if passed on to each customer, shall be disclosed in advance and separately stated from the amount charged and any other applicable taxes, and each customer shall receive a receipt for payment from the business. If the SBCWID assessment is identified separately it shall be disclosed as the “Wine Preserve Assessment.” The assessment is imposed solely upon, and is the sole obligation of the assessed wine tasting facility even if it is passed on to customers. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) issued a written opinion that state sales tax applies to the revenue generated from business improvement district assessments on items where state sales tax is levied. In light of CDTFA’s opinion, businesses that pay both state sales tax and SBCWID assessments on sales are advised to collect sales tax on the assessment revenue.
Bonds shall not be issued.
E. Overdue Charges and Interest
The SBCWID shall reimburse the third party collection agency for any costs associated with collecting unpaid assessments.
1. Original Delinquency
Any wine tasting facility that fails to remit any assessment imposed by this section within the time required shall pay an overdue charge of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the assessment in addition to the assessment.
2. Continued Delinquency
Any wine tasting facility that fails to remit any delinquent remittance on or before a period of thirty (30) days following the date on which the remittance first became delinquent shall pay a second delinquency overdue charge of ten percent (10%) of the assessment in addition to the assessment and the ten percent (10%) overdue charge first imposed.
3. Fraud
If the third-party collection agency determines that the nonpayment of any remittance due under this article is due to fraud, an overdue charge of twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount of the assessment shall be added thereto in addition to the overdue charges stated in paragraph one (1) and two (2) above of this section.
4. Interest
In addition to the overdue charges imposed, any wine tasting facility who fails to remit any assessment imposed by this section shall pay interest at the rate of one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) per month or fraction thereof on the amount of the assessment, exclusive of overdue charges, from the date on which the remittance first became delinquent until paid.
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 12
November 26, 2024
F. Time and Manner for Collecting Assessments
The SBCWID assessment will be implemented beginning April 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, and continuing for five (5) years from the start date. A third-party collection agency will be responsible for collecting the assessment on a quarterly basis (including any delinquencies, overdue charges and interest) from each wine tasting facility located in each jurisdiction within the SBCWID. A third-party collection agency shall take all reasonable efforts to collect the assessments from each wine tasting facility. A third-party collection agency shall forward the assessments collected to the Owners’ Association.
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 13
November 26, 2024
V. GOVERNANCE
A. Owners’ Association
Pursuant to Streets and Highways Code §36651, the MDP may identify the body that shall implement the proposed program, which shall be the Owners' Association as defined in Streets and Highways Code §36612. The SBCVA will serve as the Owners' Association for the SBCWID.
B. Brown Act and California Public Records Act Compliance An Owners’ Association is a private entity and may not be considered a public entity for any purpose, nor may its board members or staff be considered to be public officials for any purpose. The Owners’ Association is, however, subject to government regulations relating to transparency, namely the Ralph M. Brown Act and the California Public Records Act. These regulations are designed to promote public accountability. The Owners’ Association acts as a legislative body under the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §54950 et seq.). Thus, meetings of the Board and certain committees must be held in compliance with the public notice and other requirements of the Brown Act. Accordingly, the Owners’ Association shall publicly report any action taken and the vote or abstention on that action of each member present for the action. The Owners’ Association is also subject to the record keeping and disclosure requirements of the California Public Records Act.
C. Annual Report
The SBCVA shall present an annual report at the end of each year of operation to the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Streets and Highways Code §36650 (see Appendix 1). The annual report shall include:
• Any proposed changes in the boundaries of the improvement district or in any benefit zones or classification of businesses within the district.
• The improvements and activities to be provided for that fiscal year. • An estimate of the cost of providing the improvements and the activities for that fiscal year. • The method and basis of levying the assessment in sufficient detail to allow each business owner to estimate the amount of the assessment to be levied against his or her business for that fiscal year.
• The estimated amount of any surplus or deficit revenues to be carried over from a previous fiscal year.
• The estimated amount of any contributions to be made from sources other than assessments levied pursuant to this part.
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 14
November 26, 2024
APPENDIX 1 – LAW
*** THIS DOCUMENT IS CURRENT THROUGH THE 2023 EXTRA SESSION CH 1, 2023 REGULAR SESSION CH. 890***
(ALL 2023 LEGISLATION)
STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE
DIVISION 18. PARKING
PART 7. PROPERTY AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT LAW OF 1994 CHAPTER 1. General Provisions
ARTICLE 1. Declarations
36600. Citation of part
This part shall be known and may be cited as the “Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994.” 36601. Legislative findings and declarations; Legislative guidance The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Businesses located and operating within business districts in some of this state’s communities are economically disadvantaged, are underutilized, and are unable to attract customers due to inadequate facilities, services, and activities in the business districts. (b) It is in the public interest to promote the economic revitalization and physical maintenance of business districts in order to create jobs, attract new businesses, and prevent the erosion of the business districts. (c) It is of particular local benefit to allow business districts to fund business related improvements, maintenance, and activities through the levy of assessments upon the businesses or real property that receive benefits from those improvements.
(d) Assessments levied for the purpose of conferring special benefit upon the real property or a specific benefit upon the businesses in a business district are not taxes for the general benefit of a city, even if property, businesses, or persons not assessed receive incidental or collateral effects that benefit them. (e) Property and business improvement districts formed throughout this state have conferred special benefits upon properties and businesses within their districts and have made those properties and businesses more useful by providing the following benefits:
(1) Crime reduction. A study by the Rand Corporation has confirmed a 12-percent reduction in the incidence of robbery and an 8-percent reduction in the total incidence of violent crimes within the 30 districts studied.
(2) Job creation.
(3) Business attraction.
(4) Business retention.
(5) Economic growth.
(6) New investments.
(f) With the dissolution of redevelopment agencies throughout the state, property and business improvement districts have become even more important tools with which communities can combat blight, promote economic opportunities, and create a clean and safe environment. (g) Since the enactment of this act, the people of California have adopted Proposition 218, which added Article XIII D to the Constitution in order to place certain requirements and restrictions on the formation of, and activities, expenditures, and assessments by property-based districts. Article XIII D of the Constitution provides that property-based districts may only levy assessments for special benefits. (h) The act amending this section is intended to provide the Legislature’s guidance with regard to this act, its interaction with the provisions of Article XIII D of the Constitution, and the determination of special benefits in property-based districts.
(1) The lack of legislative guidance has resulted in uncertainty and inconsistent application of this act, which discourages the use of assessments to fund needed improvements, maintenance, and activities in property-based districts, contributing to blight and other underutilization of property. (2) Activities undertaken for the purpose of conferring special benefits upon property to be assessed inherently produce incidental or collateral effects that benefit property or persons not ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 15
November 26, 2024
assessed. Therefore, for special benefits to exist as a separate and distinct category from general benefits, the incidental or collateral effects of those special benefits are inherently part of those special benefits. The mere fact that special benefits produce incidental or collateral effects that benefit property or persons not assessed does not convert any portion of those special benefits or their incidental or collateral effects into general benefits. (3) It is of the utmost importance that property-based districts created under this act have clarity regarding restrictions on assessments they may levy and the proper determination of special benefits. Legislative clarity with regard to this act will provide districts with clear instructions and courts with legislative intent regarding restrictions on property-based assessments, and the manner in which special benefits should be determined.
36602. Purpose of part
The purpose of this part is to supplement previously enacted provisions of law that authorize cities to levy assessments within property and business improvement districts, to ensure that those assessments conform to all constitutional requirements and are determined and assessed in accordance with the guidance set forth in this act.
This part does not affect or limit any other provisions of law authorizing or providing for the furnishing of improvements or activities or the raising of revenue for these purposes. 36603. Preemption of authority or charter city to adopt ordinances levying assessments Nothing in this part is intended to preempt the authority of a charter city to adopt ordinances providing for a different method of levying assessments for similar or additional purposes from those set forth in this part. A property and business improvement district created pursuant to this part is expressly exempt from the provisions of the Special Assessment Investigation, Limitation and Majority Protest Act of 1931 (Division 4 (commencing with Section 2800)).
36603.5 Part prevails over conflicting provisions
Any provision of this part that conflicts with any other provision of law shall prevail over the other provision of law, as to districts created under this part.
36604. Severability
This part is intended to be construed liberally and, if any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Assessments levied under this part are not special taxes.
ARTICLE 2. Definitions
36606. “Activities”
“Activities” means, but is not limited to, all of the following that benefit businesses or real property in the district:
(a) Promotion of public events.
(b) Furnishing of music in any public place.
(c) Promotion of tourism within the district.
(d) Marketing and economic development, including retail retention and recruitment. (e) Providing security, sanitation, graffiti removal, street and sidewalk cleaning, and other municipal services supplemental to those normally provided by the municipality. (f) Other services provided for the purpose of conferring special benefit upon assessed real property or specific benefits upon assessed businesses located in the district. 36606.5. “Assessment”
“Assessment” means a levy for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, installing, or maintaining improvements and providing activities that will provide certain benefits to properties or businesses located within a property and business improvement district.
36607. “Business”
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 16
November 26, 2024
“Business” means all types of businesses and includes financial institutions and professions. 36608. “City”
“City” means a city, county, city and county, or an agency or entity created pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, the public member agencies of which includes only cities, counties, or a city and county, or the State of California. 36609. “City council”
“City council” means the city council of a city or the board of supervisors of a county, or the agency, commission, or board created pursuant to a joint powers agreement and which is a city within the meaning of this part. 36609.4. “Clerk”
“Clerk” means the clerk of the legislative body.
36609.5. “General benefit”
“General benefit” means, for purposes of a property-based district, any benefit that is not a “special benefit” as defined in Section 36615.5.
36610. “Improvement”
“Improvement” means the acquisition, construction, installation, or maintenance of any tangible property with an estimated useful life of five years or more including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Parking facilities.
(b) Benches, booths, kiosks, display cases, pedestrian shelters and signs. (c) Trash receptacles and public restrooms.
(d) Lighting and heating facilities.
(e) Decorations.
(f) Parks.
(g) Fountains.
(h) Planting areas.
(i) Closing, opening, widening, or narrowing of existing streets. (j) Facilities or equipment, or both, to enhance security of persons and property within the district. (k) Ramps, sidewalks, plazas, and pedestrian malls.
(l) Rehabilitation or removal of existing structures.
36611. “Management district plan”; “Plan”
“Management district plan” or “plan” means a proposal as defined in Section 36622. 36612. “Owners’ association”
“Owners’ association” means a private nonprofit entity that is under contract with a city to administer or implement improvements, maintenance, and activities specified in the management district plan. An owners’ association may be an existing nonprofit entity or a newly formed nonprofit entity. An owners’ association is a private entity and may not be considered a public entity for any purpose, nor may its board members or staff be considered to be public officials for any purpose. Notwithstanding this section, an owners’ association shall comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code), at all times when matters within the subject matter of the district are heard, discussed, or deliberated, and with the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), for all records relating to activities of the district. 36614. “Property”
“Property” means real property situated within a district.
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 17
November 26, 2024
36614.5. “Property and business improvement district”; “District” “Property and business improvement district,” or “district,” means a property and business improvement district established pursuant to this part.
36614.6. “Property-based assessment”
“Property-based assessment” means any assessment made pursuant to this part upon real property. 36614.7. “Property-based district”
“Property-based district” means any district in which a city levies a property-based assessment. 36615. “Property owner”; “Business owner”; “Owner”
“Property owner” means any person shown as the owner of land on the last equalized assessment roll or otherwise known to be the owner of land by the city council. “Business owner” means any person recognized by the city as the owner of the business. “Owner” means either a business owner or a property owner. The city council has no obligation to obtain other information as to the ownership of land or businesses, and its determination of ownership shall be final and conclusive for the purposes of this part. Wherever this part requires the signature of the property owner, the signature of the authorized agent of the property owner shall be sufficient. Wherever this part requires the signature of the business owner, the signature of the authorized agent of the business owner shall be sufficient. 36615.5. “Special benefit” [Effective January 1, 2023]
(a) “Special benefit” means, for purposes of a property-based district, a particular and distinct benefit over and above general benefits conferred on real property located in a district or to the public at large. Special benefit includes incidental or collateral effects that arise from the improvements, maintenance, or activities of propertybased districts even if those incidental or collateral effects benefit property or persons not assessed. Special benefit excludes general enhancement of property value.
(b) “Special benefit” also includes, for purposes of a property-based district, a particular and distinct benefit provided directly to each assessed parcel within the district. Merely because parcels throughout an assessment district share the same special benefits does not make the benefits general. 36616. “Tenant”
“Tenant” means an occupant pursuant to a lease of commercial space or a dwelling unit, other than an owner.
ARTICLE 3 Prior Law
36617. Alternate method of financing certain improvements and activities; Effect on other provisions This part provides an alternative method of financing certain improvements and activities. The provisions of this part shall not affect or limit any other provisions of law authorizing or providing for the furnishing of improvements or activities or the raising of revenue for these purposes. Every improvement area established pursuant to the Parking and Business Improvement Area Law of 1989 (Part 6 (commencing with Section 36500) of this division) is valid and effective and is unaffected by this part.
CHAPTER 2. Establishment
36620. Establishment of property and business improvement district A property and business improvement district may be established as provided in this chapter. 36620.5. Requirement of consent of city council
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 18
November 26, 2024
A county may not form a district within the territorial jurisdiction of a city without the consent of the city council of that city. A city may not form a district within the unincorporated territory of a county without the consent of the board of supervisors of that county. A city may not form a district within the territorial jurisdiction of another city without the consent of the city council of the other city. 36621. Initiation of proceedings; Petition of property or business owners in proposed district (a) Upon the submission of a written petition, signed by the property or business owners in the proposed district who will pay more than 50 percent of the assessments proposed to be levied, the city council may initiate proceedings to form a district by the adoption of a resolution expressing its intention to form a district. The amount of assessment attributable to property or a business owned by the same property or business owner that is in excess of 40 percent of the amount of all assessments proposed to be levied, shall not be included in determining whether the petition is signed by property or business owners who will pay more than 50 percent of the total amount of assessments proposed to be levied. (b) The petition of property or business owners required under subdivision (a) shall include a summary of the management district plan. That summary shall include all of the following:
(1) A map showing the boundaries of the district.
(2) Information specifying where the complete management district plan can be obtained. (3) Information specifying that the complete management district plan shall be furnished upon request.
(c) The resolution of intention described in subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:
(1) A brief description of the proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities, the amount of the proposed assessment, a statement as to whether the assessment will be levied on property or businesses within the district, a statement as to whether bonds will be issued, and a description of the exterior boundaries of the proposed district, which may be made by reference to any plan or map that is on file with the clerk. The descriptions and statements do not need to be detailed and shall be sufficient if they enable an owner to generally identify the nature and extent of the improvements, maintenance, and activities, and the location and extent of the proposed district. (2) A time and place for a public hearing on the establishment of the property and business improvement district and the levy of assessments, which shall be consistent with the requirements of Section 36623.
36622. Contents of management district plan
The management district plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(a) If the assessment will be levied on property, a map of the district in sufficient detail to locate each parcel of property and, if businesses are to be assessed, each business within the district. If the assessment will be levied on businesses, a map that identifies the district boundaries in sufficient detail to allow a business owner to reasonably determine whether a business is located within the district boundaries. If the assessment will be levied on property and businesses, a map of the district in sufficient detail to locate each parcel of property and to allow a business owner to reasonably determine whether a business is located within the district boundaries.
(b) The name of the proposed district.
(c) A description of the boundaries of the district, including the boundaries of benefit zones, proposed for establishment or extension in a manner sufficient to identify the affected property and businesses included, which may be made by reference to any plan or map that is on file with the clerk. The boundaries of a proposed property assessment district shall not overlap with the boundaries of another existing property assessment district created pursuant to this part. This part does not prohibit the boundaries of a district created pursuant to this part to overlap with other assessment districts established pursuant to other provisions of law, including, but not limited to, the Parking and Business Improvement Area Law of 1989 (Part 6 (commencing with Section 36500)). This part does not prohibit the boundaries of a business assessment district created pursuant to this part to overlap with another business assessment district created pursuant to this part. This part does not prohibit the boundaries of a business assessment district created pursuant to this part to overlap with a property assessment district created pursuant to this part. (d) The improvements, maintenance, and activities proposed for each year of operation of the district and the estimated cost thereof. If the improvements, maintenance, and activities proposed for each year of operation are the same, a description of the first year’s proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 19
November 26, 2024
and a statement that the same improvements, maintenance, and activities are proposed for subsequent years shall satisfy the requirements of this subdivision.
(e) The total annual amount proposed to be expended for improvements, maintenance, or activities, and debt service in each year of operation of the district. If the assessment is levied on businesses, this amount may be estimated based upon the assessment rate. If the total annual amount proposed to be expended in each year of operation of the district is not significantly different, the amount proposed to be expended in the initial year and a statement that a similar amount applies to subsequent years shall satisfy the requirements of this subdivision.
(f) The proposed source or sources of financing, including the proposed method and basis of levying the assessment in sufficient detail to allow each property or business owner to calculate the amount of the assessment to be levied against their property or business. The plan also shall state whether bonds will be issued to finance improvements.
(g) The time and manner of collecting the assessments.
(h) The specific number of years in which assessments will be levied. In a new district, the maximum number of years shall be five. Upon renewal, a district shall have a term not to exceed 10 years.
Notwithstanding these limitations, a district created pursuant to this part to finance capital improvements with bonds may levy assessments until the maximum maturity of the bonds. The management district plan may set forth specific increases in assessments for each year of operation of the district. (i) The proposed time for implementation and completion of the management district plan. (j) Any proposed rules and regulations to be applicable to the district. (k)
(1) A list of the properties or businesses to be assessed, including the assessor’s parcel numbers for properties to be assessed, and a statement of the method or methods by which the expenses of a district will be imposed upon benefited real property or businesses, in proportion to the benefit received by the property or business, to defray the cost thereof. (2) In a property-based district, the proportionate special benefit derived by each identified parcel shall be determined exclusively in relationship to the entirety of the capital cost of a public improvement, the maintenance and operation expenses of a public improvement, or the cost of the activities. An assessment shall not be imposed on any parcel that exceeds the reasonable cost of the proportional special benefit conferred on that parcel. Only special benefits are assessable, and a property-based district shall separate the general benefits, if any, from the special benefits conferred on a parcel. Parcels within a property-based district that are owned or used by any city, public agency, the State of California, or the United States shall not be exempt from assessment unless the governmental entity can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that those publicly owned parcels in fact receive no special benefit. The value of any incidental, secondary, or collateral effects that arise from the improvements, maintenance, or activities of a propertybased district and that benefit property or persons not assessed shall not be deducted from the entirety of the cost of any special benefit or affect the proportionate special benefit derived by each identified parcel.
(3) In a property-based district, properties throughout the district may share the same special benefits. In a district with boundaries that define which parcels are to receive improvements, maintenance, or activities over and above those services provided by the city, the improvements, maintenance, or activities themselves may constitute a special benefit. The city may impose assessments that are less than the proportional special benefit conferred, but shall not impose assessments that exceed the reasonable costs of the proportional special benefit conferred. Because one or more parcels pay less than the special benefit conferred does not necessarily mean that other parcels are assessed more than the reasonable cost of their special benefit. (l) In a property-based district, a detailed engineer’s report prepared by a registered professional engineer certified by the State of California supporting all assessments contemplated by the management district plan.
(m) Any other item or matter required to be incorporated therein by the city council. 36623. Procedure to levy assessment
(a) If a city council proposes to levy a new or increased property assessment, the notice and protest and hearing procedure shall comply with Section 53753 of the Government Code. (b) If a city council proposes to levy a new or increased business assessment, the notice and protest and hearing procedure shall comply with Section 54954.6 of the Government Code, except that notice shall be ATTACHMENT 1
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mailed to the owners of the businesses proposed to be assessed. A protest may be made orally or in writing by any interested person. Every written protest shall be filed with the clerk at or before the time fixed for the public hearing. The city council may waive any irregularity in the form or content of any written protest. A written protest may be withdrawn in writing at any time before the conclusion of the public hearing. Each written protest shall contain a description of the business in which the person subscribing the protest is interested sufficient to identify the business and, if a person subscribing is not shown on the official records of the city as the owner of the business, the protest shall contain or be accompanied by written evidence that the person subscribing is the owner of the business or the authorized representative. A written protest that does not comply with this section shall not be counted in determining a majority protest.
If written protests are received from the owners or authorized representatives of businesses in the proposed district that will pay 50 percent or more of the assessments proposed to be levied and protests are not withdrawn so as to reduce the protests to less than 50 percent, no further proceedings to levy the proposed assessment against such businesses, as contained in the resolution of intention, shall be taken for a period of one year from the date of the finding of a majority protest by the city council. (c) If a city council proposes to conduct a single proceeding to levy both a new or increased property assessment and a new or increased business assessment, the notice and protest and hearing procedure for the property assessment shall comply with subdivision (a), and the notice and protest and hearing procedure for the business assessment shall comply with subdivision (b). If a majority protest is received from either the property or business owners, that respective portion of the assessment shall not be levied. The remaining portion of the assessment may be levied unless the improvement or other special benefit was proposed to be funded by assessing both property and business owners. 36624. Changes to proposed assessments
At the conclusion of the public hearing to establish the district, the city council may adopt, revise, change, reduce, or modify the proposed assessment or the type or types of improvements, maintenance, and activities to be funded with the revenues from the assessments. Proposed assessments may only be revised by reducing any or all of them. At the public hearing, the city council may only make changes in, to, or from the boundaries of the proposed property and business improvement district that will exclude territory that will not benefit from the proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities. Any modifications, revisions, reductions, or changes to the proposed assessment district shall be reflected in the notice and map recorded pursuant to Section 36627. 36625. Resolution of formation
(a) If the city council, following the public hearing, decides to establish a proposed property and business improvement district, the city council shall adopt a resolution of formation that shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) A brief description of the proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities, the amount of the proposed assessment, a statement as to whether the assessment will be levied on property, businesses, or both within the district, a statement on whether bonds will be issued, and a description of the exterior boundaries of the proposed district, which may be made by reference to any plan or map that is on file with the clerk. The descriptions and statements need not be detailed and shall be sufficient if they enable an owner to generally identify the nature and extent of the improvements, maintenance, and activities and the location and extent of the proposed district. (2) The number, date of adoption, and title of the resolution of intention. (3) The time and place where the public hearing was held concerning the establishment of the district.
(4) A determination regarding any protests received. The city shall not establish the district or levy assessments if a majority protest was received.
(5) A statement that the properties, businesses, or properties and businesses in the district established by the resolution shall be subject to any amendments to this part. (6) A statement that the improvements, maintenance, and activities to be conferred on businesses and properties in the district will be funded by the levy of the assessments. The revenue from the levy of assessments within a district shall not be used to provide improvements, maintenance, or activities outside the district or for any purpose other than the purposes specified in the resolution of intention, as modified by the city council at the hearing concerning establishment of the district.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, improvements and activities that must be provided outside the ATTACHMENT 1
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district boundaries to create a special or specific benefit to the assessed parcels or businesses may be provided, but shall be limited to marketing or signage pointing to the district. (7) A finding that the property or businesses within the area of the property and business improvement district will be benefited by the improvements, maintenance, and activities funded by the proposed assessments, and, for a property-based district, that property within the district will receive a special benefit.
(8) In a property-based district, the total amount of all special benefits to be conferred on the properties within the property-based district.
(b) The adoption of the resolution of formation and, if required, recordation of the notice and map pursuant to Section 36627 shall constitute the levy of an assessment in each of the fiscal years referred to in the management district plan.
36627. Notice and assessment diagram
Following adoption of the resolution establishing district assessments on properties pursuant to Section 36625, the clerk shall record a notice and an assessment diagram pursuant to Section 3114. No other provision of Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 3100) applies to an assessment district created pursuant to this part. 36628. Establishment of separate benefit zones within district; Categories of businesses The city council may establish one or more separate benefit zones within the district based upon the degree of benefit derived from the improvements or activities to be provided within the benefit zone and may impose a different assessment within each benefit zone. If the assessment is to be levied on businesses, the city council may also define categories of businesses based upon the degree of benefit that each will derive from the improvements or activities to be provided within the district and may impose a different assessment or rate of assessment on each category of business, or on each category of business within each zone. 36628.5. Assessments on businesses or property owners
The city council may levy assessments on businesses or on property owners, or a combination of the two, pursuant to this part. The city council shall structure the assessments in whatever manner it determines corresponds with the distribution of benefits from the proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities, provided that any propertybased assessment conforms with the requirements set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (k) of Section 36622. 36629. Provisions and procedures applicable to benefit zones and business categories All provisions of this part applicable to the establishment, modification, or disestablishment of a property and business improvement district apply to the establishment, modification, or disestablishment of benefit zones or categories of business. The city council shall, to establish, modify, or disestablish a benefit zone or category of business, follow the procedure to establish, modify, or disestablish a property and business improvement district. 36630. Expiration of district; Creation of new district If a property and business improvement district expires due to the time limit set pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 36622, a new management district plan may be created and the district may be renewed pursuant to this part.
CHAPTER 3: Assessments
36631. Time and manner of collection of assessments; Delinquent payments The collection of the assessments levied pursuant to this part shall be made at the time and in the manner set forth by the city council in the resolution levying the assessment. Assessments levied on real property may be collected at the same time and in the same manner as for the ad valorem property tax, and may provide for the same lien priority and penalties for delinquent payment. All delinquent payments for assessments levied pursuant to this part may be charged interest and penalties.
36632. Assessments to be based on estimated benefit; Classification of real property and businesses; Exclusion of residential and agricultural property
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(a) The assessments levied on real property pursuant to this part shall be levied on the basis of the estimated benefit to the real property within the property and business improvement district. The city council may classify properties for purposes of determining the benefit to property of the improvements and activities provided pursuant to this part.
(b) Assessments levied on businesses pursuant to this part shall be levied on the basis of the estimated benefit to the businesses within the property and business improvement district. The city council may classify businesses for purposes of determining the benefit to the businesses of the improvements and activities provided pursuant to this part.
(c) Properties zoned solely for residential use, or that are zoned for agricultural use, are conclusively presumed not to benefit from the improvements and service funded through these assessments, and shall not be subject to any assessment pursuant to this part. 36633. Time for contesting validity of assessment
The validity of an assessment levied under this part shall not be contested in an action or proceeding unless the action or proceeding is commenced within 30 days after the resolution levying the assessment is adopted pursuant to Section 36625. An appeal from a final judgment in an action or proceeding shall be perfected within 30 days after the entry of judgment.
36634. Service contracts authorized to establish levels of city services The city council may execute baseline service contracts that would establish levels of city services that would continue after a property and business improvement district has been formed. 36635. Request to modify management district plan
The owners’ association may, at any time, request that the city council modify the management district plan. Any modification of the management district plan shall be made pursuant to this chapter. 36636. Modification of plan by resolution after public hearing; Adoption of the resolution of intention (a) Upon the written request of the owners’ association, the city council may modify the management district plan after conducting one public hearing on the proposed modifications. The city council may modify the improvements and activities to be funded with the revenue derived from the levy of the assessments by adopting a resolution determining to make the modifications after holding a public hearing on the proposed modifications. If the modification includes the levy of a new or increased assessment, the city council shall comply with Section 36623. Notice of all other public hearings pursuant to this section shall comply with both of the following:
(1) The resolution of intention shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city once at least seven days before the public hearing.
(2) A complete copy of the resolution of intention shall be mailed by first class mail, at least 10 days before the public hearing, to each business owner or property owner affected by the proposed modification.
(b) The city council shall adopt a resolution of intention which states the proposed modification prior to the public hearing required by this section. The public hearing shall be held not more than 90 days after the adoption of the resolution of intention.
36637. Reflection of modification in notices recorded and maps Any subsequent modification of the resolution shall be reflected in subsequent notices and maps recorded pursuant to Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 3100), in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 36627. 36638. Assessment as government improvised fee on Civ C § 1770 transaction [Operative July 1, 2024] (a) A business assessment pursuant to this part is a fee imposed by a government on the transaction for purposes of paragraph (29) of subdivision (a) of Section 1770 of the Civil Code. (b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2024.
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CHAPTER 3.5 Financing
36640. Bonds authorized; Procedure; Restriction on reduction or termination of assessments (a) The city council may, by resolution, determine and declare that bonds shall be issued to finance the estimated cost of some or all of the proposed improvements described in the resolution of formation adopted pursuant to Section 36625, if the resolution of formation adopted pursuant to that section provides for the issuance of bonds, under the Improvement Bond Act of 1915 (Division 10 (commencing with Section 8500)) or in conjunction with Marks–Roos Local Bond Pooling Act of 1985 (Article 4 (commencing with Section 6584) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code). Either act, as the case may be, shall govern the proceedings relating to the issuance of bonds, although proceedings under the Bond Act of 1915 may be modified by the city council as necessary to accommodate assessments levied upon business pursuant to this part. (b) The resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall generally describe the proposed improvements specified in the resolution of formation adopted pursuant to Section 36625, set forth the estimated cost of those improvements, specify the number of annual installments and the fiscal years during which they are to be collected. The amount of debt service to retire the bonds shall not exceed the amount of revenue estimated to be raised from assessments over 30 years.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, assessments levied to pay the principal and interest on any bond issued pursuant to this section shall not be reduced or terminated if doing so would interfere with the timely retirement of the debt.
CHAPTER 4. Governance
36650. Report by owners’ association; Approval or modification by city council (a) The owners’ association shall cause to be prepared a report for each fiscal year, except the first year, for which assessments are to be levied and collected to pay the costs of the improvements, maintenance, and activities described in the report. The owners’ association’s first report shall be due after the first year of operation of the district. The report may propose changes, including, but not limited to, the boundaries of the property and business improvement district or any benefit zones within the district, the basis and method of levying the assessments, and any changes in the classification of property, including any categories of business, if a classification is used.
(b) The report shall be filed with the clerk and shall refer to the property and business improvement district by name, specify the fiscal year to which the report applies, and, with respect to that fiscal year, shall contain all of the following information:
(1) Any proposed changes in the boundaries of the property and business improvement district or in any benefit zones or classification of property or businesses within the district. (2) The improvements, maintenance, and activities to be provided for that fiscal year. (3) An estimate of the cost of providing the improvements, maintenance, and activities for that fiscal year.
(4) The method and basis of levying the assessment in sufficient detail to allow each real property or business owner, as appropriate, to estimate the amount of the assessment to be levied against his or her property or business for that fiscal year.
(5) The estimated amount of any surplus or deficit revenues to be carried over from a previous fiscal year.
(6) The estimated amount of any contributions to be made from sources other than assessments levied pursuant to this part.
(c) The city council may approve the report as filed by the owners’ association or may modify any particular contained in the report and approve it as modified. Any modification shall be made pursuant to Sections 36635 and 36636.
The city council shall not approve a change in the basis and method of levying assessments that would impair an authorized or executed contract to be paid from the revenues derived from the levy of assessments, including any commitment to pay principal and interest on any bonds issued on behalf of the district.
36651. Designation of owners’ association to provide improvements, maintenance, and activities ATTACHMENT 1
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The management district plan may, but is not required to, state that an owners’ association will provide the improvements, maintenance, and activities described in the management district plan. If the management district plan designates an owners’ association, the city shall contract with the designated nonprofit corporation to provide services.
CHAPTER 5. Renewal
36660. Renewal of district; Transfer or refund of remaining revenues; District term limit (a) Any district previously established whose term has expired, or will expire, may be renewed by following the procedures for establishment as provided in this chapter. (b) Upon renewal, any remaining revenues derived from the levy of assessments, or any revenues derived from the sale of assets acquired with the revenues, shall be transferred to the renewed district. If the renewed district includes additional parcels or businesses not included in the prior district, the remaining revenues shall be spent to benefit only the parcels or businesses in the prior district. If the renewed district does not include parcels or businesses included in the prior district, the remaining revenues attributable to these parcels shall be refunded to the owners of these parcels or businesses. (c) Upon renewal, a district shall have a term not to exceed 10 years, or, if the district is authorized to issue bonds, until the maximum maturity of those bonds. There is no requirement that the boundaries, assessments, improvements, or activities of a renewed district be the same as the original or prior district.
CHAPTER 6. Disestablishment
36670. Circumstances permitting disestablishment of district; Procedure (a) Any district established or extended pursuant to the provisions of this part, where there is no indebtedness, outstanding and unpaid, incurred to accomplish any of the purposes of the district, may be disestablished by resolution by the city council in either of the following circumstances:
(1) If the city council finds there has been misappropriation of funds, malfeasance, or a violation of law in connection with the management of the district, it shall notice a hearing on disestablishment.
(2) During the operation of the district, there shall be a 30-day period each year in which assessees may request disestablishment of the district. The first such period shall begin one year after the date of establishment of the district and shall continue for 30 days. The next such 30-day period shall begin two years after the date of the establishment of the district. Each successive year of operation of the district shall have such a 30-day period. Upon the written petition of the owners or authorized representatives of real property or the owners or authorized representatives of businesses in the district who pay 50 percent or more of the assessments levied, the city council shall pass a resolution of intention to disestablish the district. The city council shall notice a hearing on disestablishment.
(b) The city council shall adopt a resolution of intention to disestablish the district prior to the public hearing required by this section. The resolution shall state the reason for the disestablishment, shall state the time and place of the public hearing, and shall contain a proposal to dispose of any assets acquired with the revenues of the assessments levied within the property and business improvement district. The notice of the hearing on disestablishment required by this section shall be given by mail to the property owner of each parcel or to the owner of each business subject to assessment in the district, as appropriate. The city shall conduct the public hearing not less than 30 days after mailing the notice to the property or business owners. The public hearing shall be held not more than 60 days after the adoption of the resolution of intention.
36671. Refund of remaining revenues upon disestablishment or expiration without renewal of district; Calculation of refund; Use of outstanding revenue collected after disestablishment of district (a) Upon the disestablishment or expiration without renewal of a district, any remaining revenues, after all outstanding debts are paid, derived from the levy of assessments, or derived from the sale of assets acquired with the revenues, or from bond reserve or construction funds, shall be refunded to the owners of the property or businesses then located and operating within the district in which assessments were levied by ATTACHMENT 1
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applying the same method and basis that was used to calculate the assessments levied in the fiscal year in which the district is disestablished or expires. All outstanding assessment revenue collected after disestablishment shall be spent on improvements and activities specified in the management district plan. (b) If the disestablishment occurs before an assessment is levied for the fiscal year, the method and basis that was used to calculate the assessments levied in the immediate prior fiscal year shall be used to calculate the amount of any refund.
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APPENDIX 2 – ASSESSED BUSINESSES*
Business Name Site Address City State Zip
A Tribute To Grace 762 Main St Los Alamos Ca 93440
A Tribute To Grace Wine Company 9050 San Antonio Rd Orcutt Ca 93455 A Tribute To Grace Wine Company 490 Bell St #5 Los Alamos Ca 93440 Aether Wine Company 9050 San Antonio Rd Orcutt Ca 93455 Alapay Cellars 2115 S Blosser Rd; Ste 125-126 Santa Maria Ca 93458-7303 Alexander & Wayne 2922 Grand Ave Steh Los Olivos Ca 93441 Allan Hancock College Viticulture & Enology
Foundation
800 S College Dr; Rm 211 Bldg O Santa Maria Ca 93454-6399 Alma Rosa Winery Vineyards 7250 Santa Rosa Rd Buellton Ca 93427 Amada Cellars 490 Bell St Ste4 Los Alamos Ca 93440
Amber Rose 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507
Amevive 2075 Vineyard View Ln Lompoc Ca 93436
Ampelos Cellars 4305 W Central Ave Lompoc Ca 93436
Amplify Wines 5428 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Andrew Murray Vineyards 2901 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441 Andrew Murray Vineyards 5095 Zaca Station Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441 Arcadian Winery 4457 Santa Rosa Rd Ste2 Lompoc Ca 93436 Area 5.1 Orgullo Wines 137 Anacapa St Ste B Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1849 Arthur Earl 2922 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441
Artiste Winery 2948 Grand Ave Steb Los Olivos Ca 93441
Ashkahn Wines 100 Los Padres Way Ste 7 Buellton Ca 93427-9580 Attic Salt Wine Company 2446 Alamo Pintado Rd Steb Los Olivos Ca 93441 Au Bon Climat Lie 4665 Santa Maria Mesa Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Au Bon Climat Lie 4665a Santa Maria Mesa Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Axel Wines 3676 Tivola St Unit2 Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Babcock Winery & Vineyards 5175 E Highway 246 Lompoc Ca 93436 Ballard Canyon Peak 5069 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Baltazar Family Wines 1251 W Laurel Ave Units 9 - 13 Lompoc Ca 93436-5157 Barbaire Wine Company 2369 Alamo Pintado Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441 Beckmen Vineyards 2670 Ontiveros Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441 Bedford Thompson Winery & Vin 448 Bell St Los Alamos Ca 93440 Bella Cavalli Farms & Winery 201 Industrial Way Ste D Buellton Ca 93427-9570 Bella Cavalli Farms & Winery 90 Easy St Buellton Ca 93427-9566 Bella Cavalli Farms & Winery 959 E Highway 246 Solvang Ca 93464 Bernat Vineyards And Winery 2650 Santa Ynez St Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Bien Nacido And Solomon Hills E 2963 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441 Blackjack Ranch 2205 Alamo Pintado Rd Solvang Ca 93463
Black Sheep Finds 1500 E Chestnut Ct; Ste f&G Lompoc Ca 93436 Blair Fox Cellars 2477 Alamo Pintado Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441 Bocce Ball Wine 90 Easy St Buellton Ca 93427-9566
Bonaccorsi Wine Company 4665 Santa Maria Mesa Rd # A Santa Maria Ca 93454-9638 ATTACHMENT 1
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Bradley Family Winery 92 2nd St Ste C & D Buellton Ca 93427-9470 Brander Vineyard 2401 N Refugio Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Brave & Maiden Estate 9050 San Antonio Rd Orcutt Ca 93455 Brave & Maiden Estate 645 N Refugio Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Brewer Clifton 329 N F St Lompoc Ca 93436-6015
Brewer-Clifton 2367 Alamo Pintado Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441 Brick Barn Winery 795 W Highway 246 Buellton Ca 93427
Bridlewood 3555 Roblar Ave Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Brouillard Vineyards & Winery, William Hines &
Family, The Set
1501 E Chestnut Ave Lompoc Ca 93436-4901
Buscador Winery Llc 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507 Buscador Winery Llc 84 Industrial Way Unit A Buellton Ca 93427-9567 Buttonwood Winery 1500 Alamo Pintado Rd Solvang Ca 93463 Buttonwood Winery And Vineyand 1500 Alamo Pintado Rd Solvang Ca 93463 Byron Vineyard & Winery 5250 Tepusquet Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 C2 Cellars 9050 San Antonio Rd Orcutt Ca 93455
Ca Del Grevino 2933 Grand Ave Stea Los Olivos Ca 93441
Ca Del Grevino 2617 E Clark Ave Santa Maria Ca 93455
Cali Love Wine 92 2nd St Ste C & D Buellton Ca 93427-9470 Cali Love Wine 1651 Copenhagen Dr Solvang Ca 93463-3742 Calivence 2575 Park St Los Olivos Ca 93441
Cambria Winery / Nielson 5475 Chardonnay Ln Santa Maria Ca 93454 Camins 2 Dreams 1520 E Chestnut Ct Unit C-D Lompoc Ca 93436-4949 Carhartt Family Wines 2939 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441 Carhartt Vineyard & Winery 1541 Rancho Santa Ynez Rd Los Olivos Ca 93411 Carlson Wines 2330 Westgate Rd Ste 10 & 20 Santa Maria Ca 93455-1018 Carr Winery 414 N Salsipuedes Santa Barbara Ca 93103-3127 Carr Winery Inc 3563 Numancia St Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Carucci Wines 2923 Grand Ave Stea Los Olivos Ca 93441
Casa Cassara Winery & Vineyard 65 Los Padres Way Buellton Ca 93427-9577 Casa Cassara Winery & Vineyard 1607 Mission Dr Ste 111 & 112 Solvang Ca 93463-3651 Casa Dumetz 388 Bell St Los Alamos Ca 93440
Casita De Bravo 2401 N Refugio Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Cebada Vineyard 4003 Forbidden Fruit Ln Lompoc Ca 93436 Central Coast Group Project The 53 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Challen Winery 2330 Westgate Rd Ste 6 Santa Maria Ca 93455-1018 Chanin Wine Company 300 N 12th St Unit 1c & 2c Lompoc Ca 93436-9426 Chesterfield Cellars 5330 Debbie Rd Ste 200 Santa Barbara Ca 93111-4049 Chris Caruso Wines 2705 & 2717 Aviation Way Santa Maria Ca 93455-1505 Cinque Stelle Winery 9050 San Antonio Rd Orcutt Ca 93455 Civilization Wine Company 321 N D St Lompoc Ca 93436-6118 Clendenen Lindquist Vintners 4665a Santa Maria Mesa Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Clusterfreak Wine Vintners Lie 9050 San Antonio Rd Orcutt Ca 93455 Coastal Cru Wines Inc 65 Los Padres Way Unit 8 Buellton Ca 93427-9577 Colluvial Wines 2330 Westgate Rd Ste 9 Santa Maria Ca 93455-1018 ATTACHMENT 1
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Colors Wine Cellars 2320 Thompson Way Ste F Santa Maria Ca 93455-1067 Conway Family Wines 35 & 70 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Conway Family Wines 217 Stearns Wharf Ste G Santa Barbara Ca 93101-3582 Cool Hand Vineyards 2240 Santa Rosa Rd Lompoc Ca 93436
Coomber Family Ranch Wines 35 & 70 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Coquelicot Estate Winery 330 Alisal Mesa Rd Solvang Ca 93463-2798 Cordon 1623 Mission Dr Ste I & J Solvang Ca 93463-2636
Costa De Oro Winery 1331 Nicholson Ave Santa Maria Ca 93454 Costa De Oro Winery 4665 Santa Maria Mesa Rd # A Santa Maria Ca 93454-9638 Cote Of Paint 55 Los Padres Way # 1 Buellton Ca 93427-9581 Cotiere Winery 2330 Westgate Rd Ste 9 Santa Maria Ca 93455-1018 Cottonwood Canyon 3940 Dominion Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Crawford Family Wines 92 2nd St Units G & H Buellton Ca 93427-9470 Crawford Family Wines 1661 Mission Dr Solvang Ca 93463-2632 Crosby Wine Co 84 Industrial Way Unit C Buellton Ca 93427-9567 Crosshatch Winery 1090 Edison St Ste103 Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Crosshatch Winery 1090 Edison St Ste104 Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Crown Point Vineyards 1733 Fletcher Way Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Crush It Wine Education 958 Cheltenham Rd Santa Barbara Ca 93105 D Alfonso Curran Wine Group 4457 Santa Rosa Rd Ste5 Lompoc Ca 93436 Dana V Wines 57 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565
Dana V Wines 59 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565
Dark Water Winery 1591 & 1595 E Chestnut Ave Ste B Lompoc Ca 93436 Dascomb Cellars 1637 E Laurel Ave Lompoc Ca 93436-4915
Dascomb Cellars 1623 Mission Dr Ste E & F Solvang Ca 93463 Dave Phinney Lie / Bloodlines 2121 Alisos Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Demetria Vineyards & Winery 6701 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Dierberg Star Lane Vineyards 1280 Drum Canyon Rd Lompoc Ca 93436 Dierberg Star Lane Vineyards 2121 Alisos Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Disko Wines 5230 Tepusquet Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454
Domaine Dafoe 2901 Grand Ave Unite Los Olivos Ca 93441
Domaine De La Cote 1503 E Chestnut Ave Lompoc Ca 93436-4901 Domaine De La Cote 1712 Industrial Way Lompoc Ca 93436-4970 Donnachadh 2938 San Marcos Ave Ste 101 Los Olivos Ca 93441 Donnachadh Family Wines, Llc 5069 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Dovecote 9229 Alisos Canyon Rd Los Alamos Ca 93440
Dragonette Cellars 2445 Alamo Pintado Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441 Draughtsmen Aleworks 53 Santa Felicia Dr Goleta Ca 93117-2804 Draughtsmen Aleworks 1631 Mission Dr Solvang Ca 93463-2632 Dreamcote Wine Co 2933 San Marcos Ave Ste107 Los Olivos Ca 93441 Dreamcote Wine Co 2121 Alisos Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Dreamcote, Spoke Cider 417 Commerce Ct Lompoc Ca 93436-2811 Eislynn Wines 6701 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 El Oso De Oro 321 N D St Lompoc Ca 93436-6118
El Vinero 130 N Broadway St Stea Orcutt Ca 93455
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Eleven Confessions 7007 Santa Rosa Rd Buellton Ca 93427 Entourage Wines 1251 W Laurel Ave Units 9-13 Lompoc Ca 93436-5157 Fallen Grape 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507
Fates' Lieutenant Llc 100 Los Padres Way Ste 7 Buellton Ca 93427-9580 Feeley Wines 1603 Copenhagen Dr Ste 1 Solvang Ca 93463-2700 Feliz Noche 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454
Fennell Family Wine Company 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Fess Parker Winery 2974 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441
Fiddlehead Cellars 1597 E Chestnut Ave Lompoc Ca 93436
Final Girl 100 Los Padres Way Ste 7 Buellton Ca 93427-9580 Firestone Vineyard 5017 Zaca Station Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441 Flores Family Vineyards 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507 Flying Goat Cellars 1251 W Laurel Ave Units 9-21 Lompoc Ca 93436 Flying Goat Cellars 1520 E Chestnut Ct Ste A Lompoc Ca 93436-4949 Folded Hills 9050 San Antonio Rd Orcutt Ca 93455
Folded Hills 2121 Alisos Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Folded Hills Farmstead 2323 Old Coast Hwy Gaviota Ca 93117 Foley Estate Vineyard & Winery 6121 E Highway 246 Lompoc Ca 93436 Foley Estate Vineyard & Winery 1711 Alamo Pintado Rd Solvang Ca 93463-9712 Four Brothers Wine Co. 2935 Grand Ave Stea Los Olivos Ca 93441 Fox Wine Co 120 Santa Barbara St Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1819 Foxen Vineyard 7200 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Frequency Wine Company 9110 Alisos Canyon Rd Los Alamos Ca 93440 Funk Zone Tasting Room 116 E Yanonali St Ste A Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1823 Future Perfect Wine 2933 San Marcos Ave Ste101 Los Olivos Ca 93441 Future Perfect Wine 5775 Genuine Risk Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Future Perfect Wine 2847 Santa Barbara Ave Solvang Ca 93463 Gainey Vineyard 2901 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441
Gaviota Coast Wines Llc 236 N F St & 304 E Chestnut Ave Lompoc Ca 93436-6014 Gleason Family Vineyards 3010 Roblar Ave Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Gleason Family Vineyards Robla 2990 Grand Ave Steb Los Olivos Ca 93441 Gogi Wines 4305 W Central Ave Lompoc Ca 93436
Gra Wine 2330 Westgate Rd Ste 9 Santa Maria Ca 93455-1018 Grapevine Land Management 5250 Tepusquet Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Grassini Family Vineyards 5775 Genuine Risk Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Grimms Bluff 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave Ste 102 Los Olivos Ca 93441 Grimms Bluff 5069 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Habit Wine Company 5069 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Happy Canyon Vineyards 5050 Happy Canyon Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Hideaway 2933 Grand Ave Stef Los Olivos Ca 93441
Hilt Estate The 2240 Santa Rosa Rd Lompoc Ca 93436
Hitching Post Wines 420 E Highway 246 Buellton Ca 93427 Holus Bolus 2902 San Marcos Ave; Ste B Los Olivos Ca 93441 Imagine Wine 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427
Inception Wine 2643 Industrial Parkway Santa Maria Ca 93455 ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 30
November 26, 2024
J. Dirt LLC 55 Los Padres Way # 1 BUELLTON Ca 93427
Jaffurs Wine Cellars 819 E Montecito St Santa Barbara Ca 93103 Jalama Wines 321 N D ST LOMPOC Ca 93436
Jamie Slone Wines 4003 Forbidden Fruit Ln Lompoc Ca 93436 Jamie Slone Wines 4457 Santa Rosa Rd Ste 2 Lompoc Ca 93436-9516 Jamie Slone Wines 23 E De La Guerra St Santa Barbara Ca 93101-2217 Jonata 73 Thomas Rd Buellton Ca 93427
Juliet Wines Incorporated 2121 Alisos Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Kaena Wine Company 800 E Highway 246 Hwy Buellton Ca 93427 Kaena Wine Company 2670 Ontiveros Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441 Kaena Wine Company 2890 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441
Kalawashaq Wine Cellars 313 N F St Lompoc Ca 93436-6015 Kalyra Winery 343 N Refugio Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Ken Brown Wines 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507 Ken Brown Wines 157 W Highway 246 Buellton Ca 93427
Kessler Haak Wines Kh Wines 1700 Gypsy Canyon Rd Lompoc Ca 93436 Kiani Preserve Cellars Llc 340 N G St Lompoc Ca 93436
Kimsey Vineyard Llc 90 Easy St Buellton Ca 93427-9566
Kings Carey 1210 Mission Dr Ste 103 Solvang Ca 93463-2978 Kings Carey Llc 1225-1239 W Laurel Ave Unit 1-8 Lompoc Ca 93436-5157 Koehler Winery 5360 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Krh Specialty Wines Llc 35 & 70 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Kunin Wines 74 Aero Camino Ste B Goleta Ca 93117-3152
Kunin Wines 831 Santa Barbara St Santa Barbara Ca 93101 La Lieff Wines 210 Gray Ave Santa Barbara Ca 93101
La Vallee 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507
Labarge Vineyards & Winery 2380 Sweeney Rd Lompoc Ca 93436 Labyrinth Winery 2310 Westgate Rd Ste 7 & 8 Santa Maria Ca 93455-1004 Lafond Winery & Vineyard 6855 Santa Rosa Rd Buellton Ca 93427 Land Of Saints Wine Company L 9050 San Antonio Rd Orcutt Ca 93455 Larner Winery & Vineyards 2900 Grand Ave D Los Olivos Ca 93441 Latigo Ridge 5069 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Lavender Oak Vineyard And Or I 9450 Santa Rosa Rd Buellton Ca 93427 Le Crush Winery 7910 Cat Canyon Rd Los Alamos Ca 93440
Lepiane 1480 Count Fleet St Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Lieff Wines 65 Los Padres Way Buellton Ca 93427-9577
Lieu Dit 300 N 12th St Unit 4a Lompoc Ca 93436-9444
Lieu Dit 23 & 25 E Canon Perdido St Santa Barbara Ca 93101-2213 Lincourt Winery 1711 Alamo Pintado Rd Solvang Ca 93463-9712 Lions Peak 1659 Copenhagen Dr Ste A Solvang Ca 93463-3702 Liquid Farm 2445 Alamo Pintado Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441
Lo Fi Wines 101 Donald D Doyle Hwy
Lo Fi Wines 448 Bell St Steb Los Alamos Ca 93440
Lo Fi Wines 5230 Tepusquet Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454
Lompoc Wine Factory 321 N D St Lompoc Ca 93436-6118
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 31
November 26, 2024
Long Creek Vineyards 2982 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441 Longoria Winery 415 E Chestnut Ave Lompoc Ca 93436-6007 Longoria Winery 732 State St Santa Barbara Ca 93101-3330 Loring Wine Company 1034 W Aviation Dr Lompoc Ca 93436-9777 Loubud Wines Lie 4003 Forbidden Fruit Ln Lompoc Ca 93436 Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards 1645 Copenhagen Dr Solvang Ca 93463 Lucas And Lewellen Vineyards 132 Easy St Unit A B C-2 & C-3 Buellton Ca 93427 Lucia's Wine Co., Inc. 2115 S Blosser Rd 103 Santa Maria Ca 93458-7306 Lumen 2310 Westgate Rd Ste 7 & 8 Santa Maria Ca 93455-1004 Luna Hart Wines Lie 3865 Sterrett Ave Santa Barbara Ca 93110 Luna Hart Wines Lie 2825 Tapadero Rd Solvang Ca 93463
Mad Lab Wines 65 Los Padres Way Unit 8 Buellton Ca 93427-9577 Madre Wine Co 65 Los Padres Way Unit 8 Buellton Ca 93427-9577 Mail Road Wines 90 Easy St Buellton Ca 93427-9566
Maison Thomas Llc 2121 Alisos Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Mallea Food & Wine Llc 84 Industrial Way Unit C Buellton Ca 93427-9567 Mandolina Vineyards 132 Easy St Ut A2 Buellton Ca 93427 Mandolina Vineyards 1650 Copenhagen Dr Solvang Ca 93463 Margerum Wine Company 2446 Alamo Pintado Rd B Los Olivos Ca 93441 Martian Ranch & Vineyard 9110 Alisos Canyon Rd Los Alamos Ca 93440 Mayfield Moore Inc 4457 Santa Rosa Rd Ste2 Lompoc Ca 93436 Mcclain Cellars 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507 Mcclain Cellars 281 Pamela Way Ste 104-107 Buellton Ca 93427-9594 Mcclain Cellars 2360 Thompson Way Ste F & G Santa Maria Ca 93455-1095 Mcclain Cellars 1623 Mission Dr Ste B C & D Solvang Ca 93463-2636 Mckinney Family Vineyards 86 Industrial Way Unit A B & C Buellton Ca 93427-9567 Melville Winery 5185 E Highway 246 #246 Lompoc Ca 93436 Michael Caitlin Wines 3940 Dominion Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Miller Family Wine Company 35 State St Ste B Santa Barbara Ca 93101-3537 Miller Family Wine Company 2705 & 2717 Aviation Way Santa Maria Ca 93455-1505 Miller Family Wine Company 2717 Aviation Way Santa Maria Ca 93455-1506 Miralaguna Lie 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Montemar Wines 1501 E Chestnut Ct Stes B & E Lompoc Ca 93436-4953 Municipal Winemakers 22 Anacapa St Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1879 Municipal Winemakers 2643 Industrial Pkwy Santa Maria Ca 93455-1536 Native 9 6525 Dominion Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454
Natural Merchants 2121 Alisos Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460
New Vineland Llc 1501 E Chestnut Ave Lompoc Ca 93436-4901 Nid Tisse Wines 2075 Vineyard View Ln Lompoc Ca 93436
Night Lizard Brewing Company 607 State St Santa Barbara Ca 93101-3301 No Limit Wines Lie 9660 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Notary Public Wines 5069 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Oaktree Imports 35 & 70 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 One Barrel Wines 2330 Westgate Rd Ste 9 Santa Maria Ca 93455-1018 Orlaigh Wines Llc 406 E Haley St Ut 1 Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1714 ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 32
November 26, 2024
Ox Wine Co 1501 E Chestnut Ct Ste B Lompoc Ca 93436-4953 Paisean 1575 Edison St Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Pali Wine Co 205 Anacapa St Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1805 Pali Wine Co 2625 Skyway Dr Ste A Santa Maria Ca 93455-1405 Pali Wine Company 1036 W Aviation Dr Lompoc Ca 93436-9777 Pali Wine Company 1501 E Chestnut Ct Ste C Lompoc Ca 93436-4953 Paradis Springs Winery 210 State St Santa Barbara Ca 93101 Paradise Springs Winery 57 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Paradise Springs Winery 59 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Parker Parker 5070 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Paul Lato Wines 5250 Tepusquet Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Pch Street 90 Easy St Buellton Ca 93427-9566
Peake Ranch 7290 Santa Rosa Rd Buellton Ca 93427
Peake Ranch 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave Stet Los Olivos Ca 93441 Pence Ranch 1909 W Highway 246 Buellton Ca 93427-9492
Pence Ranch 1704 Industrial Wy Lompoc Ca 93436-4968
Pence Ranch 1708 Industrial Way Units D & E Lompoc Ca 93436-4969 Penville Projects Lie 5230 Tepusquet Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Perluca Wines 100 Los Padres Way Ste 4 Buellton Ca 93427-9580 Petros Winery 3360 Foxen Canyon Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441
Piazza Family Wines Lie 2825 Tapadero Rd Solvang Ca 93463 Pigeon 1034 W Aviation Dr Lompoc Ca 93436-9777
Point & Line Wines 2705 & 2717 Aviation Way Santa Maria Ca 93455-1505 Popes New Castle The 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507 Potek 406 E Haley St Ut 1 Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1714
Presqu Lie Winery 5391 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Prodigal Wines 1251 W Laurel Ave Units 9 - 13 Lompoc Ca 93436-5157 R Winery Operation Lie 2075 Vineyard View Ln Lompoc Ca 93436 Racines 300 N 12th St Unit 1a & 2a Lompoc Ca 93436-9426 Rancho Boa Vista 57 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Rancho Boa Vista 6485 Calle Real Ste E & F Goleta Ca 93117-1539 Rancho Los Olivos Lie 3360 Foxen Canyon Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441 Rancho Sisquoc Winery 6600 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Reunion Wine 6701 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454
Riccavalle 338 Toro Canyon Rd Carpinteria Ca 93013
Rideau Cellars 1562 Alamo Pintado Rd Solvang Ca 93463
Rincon Mountain Winery Inc 4187 Carpinteria Ave Ste 1 - 2 Carpinteria Ca 93013-3300 Rivahil 2901 Grand Ave Stec Los Olivos Ca 93441
Rivahil Winery 90 Easy St Buellton Ca 93427-9566
Riverbench 137 Anacapa St Ste C Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1848 Riverbench Vineyards & Winery 6020 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Riviera Wines 57 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565
Riviera Wines 59 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565
Roark Wine Company 84 Industrial Way Unit C Buellton Ca 93427-9567 Robert Lieff Wines 57 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 33
November 26, 2024
Robert Lieff Wines 59 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Rooted Vine Cellars 55 Los Padres Way # 1 Buellton Ca 93427-9581 Rosenson Vantonder Wine Creal 2884 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93455 Rosenson Wine Creations 330 Alisal Mesa Rd Solvang Ca 93463-2798 Rosenson Wine Creations Inc 5230 Tepusquet Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Rosenthal Malibu Estate 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Runway Vineyards, Llc 2705 & 2717 Aviation Way Santa Maria Ca 93455-1505 Rusack Vineyards 1819 Ballard Canyon Rd Solvang Ca 93463 Rustik Elements Lie 125 N Refugio Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Ryan Santos Wines Llc 2320 Thompson Way Ste F Santa Maria Ca 93455-1067 Rzn Wines 1225-1239 W Laurel Ave Unit 1-8 Lompoc Ca 93436-5157 Saarloos Estate Vineyards 2971 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441 Saarloos Estate Vineyards 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Samsara 6485 Calle Real Ste E & F Goleta Ca 93117-1539
Samsara Wine Co 2446 Alamo Pintado Ave Ste A Los Olivos Ca 93441 San Se Wines 5071 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Sandhi Wines 1503 E Chestnut Ave Lompoc Ca 93436-4901
Sandhi Wines 1700 Industrial Way Unit A Lompoc Ca 93436-4947 Sandoval Mergenov Wines Lie 125 N Refugio Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Sandoval Ranch & Vineyard 1719 Calzada Ave Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Sanford Winery 5010 Santa Rosa Rd Lompoc Ca 93436
Sanger Family Of Wines The 281 Pamela Way Ste 104-107 Buellton Ca 93427-9594 Sanger Family Of Wines The 1582 & 1584 Mission Dr Solvang Ca 93463 Sanguis 8 Ashley Ave Santa Barbara Ca 93103-3308
Santa Barbara Winery 28 Anacapa St Ste A Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1882 Sapien Wines 90 Easy St Buellton Ca 93427-9566
Schetter Malibu Vineyard 35 & 70 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Sea Creatures Wine 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Sea Smoke 1604 N O St Lompoc Ca 93436-3420
Section Wines 65 Los Padres Way Buellton Ca 93427-9577
Sevtap Winery 308 N 9th St Ste A & B Lompoc Ca 93436-4945 Sevtap Winery 38 El Paseo Santa Barbara Ca 93101
Sevtap Winery 473 Atterdag Rd Unit 102 Solvang Ca 93463-3744 Shokrian Winery, Llc 7910 Cat Canyon Rd Los Alamos Ca 93440 Silver Wines Llc 724 Reddick St Unit A & B Santa Barbara Ca 93103 Silver Wines Llc 813 Anacapa St Ste 31 Santa Barbara Ca 93101-2289 Skeynna Wines 12 Helena Ave Santa Barbara Ca 93101
Skyenna Wines 90 Easy St Buellton Ca 93427-9566
Slay Estate & Vineyard 6635 E Highway 246 Lompoc Ca 93436 Slouch Hat Wines 2121 Alisos Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460
So Far Out Wine Company 9110 Alisos Canyon Rd Los Alamos Ca 93440 Solminer 2890 Grand Ave Steb & C Los Olivos Ca 93441
Solminer Wine Company 2650 Easton Los Olivos Ca 93441
Somerset Vineyards Sta Rita Hill 4650 Sweeney Rd Lompoc Ca 93436 Sonja Magdevski 380 Bell St Los Alamos Ca 93440
ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 34
November 26, 2024
Sort This Out Cellars 35 & 70 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Spear Vineyards & Winery 6700 E Highway 246 Lompoc Ca 93436 St Avalo Inc 2963 Grand Ave Ste B Los Olivos Ca 93441
St. Avalo, Inc. 5230 Tepusquet Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454
Standing Sun Wines 2990 Grand Ave Stea Los Olivos Ca 93441 Stars & Dust 100 Los Padres Way Ste 3 Buellton Ca 93427-9580 Stephen C Swinchatt 3865 Sterrett Ave Santa Barbara Ca 93110 Stolpman Vineyards 2434 Alamo Pintado Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441 Stone Pine Estate 2705 & 2717 Aviation Way Santa Maria Ca 93455-1505 Storm Wines 2948 San Marcos Ave Steloi Los Olivos Ca 93441 Storm Wines 5072 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5807 Story Of Soil 2362 Alamo Pintado Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441 Story Of Soil 2928 San Marcos Ave Ste102 Los Olivos Ca 93441 Strange Family Vineyards 2329 Jonata St Los Olivos Ca 93441 Summerland Winery 2330 Lillie Ave Summerland Ca 93067
Sunstone Vineyards & Winery 125 N Refugio Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Sweetzer Cellars 1637 E Laurel Ave Lompoc Ca 93436-4915 Sweetzer Cellars 308 N 9th St Ste C Lompoc Ca 93436-4945 Swissco 4665 Santa Maria Mesa Rd # A Santa Maria Ca 93454-9638 Tatomer, Inc. 2705 & 2717 Aviation Way Santa Maria Ca 93455-1505 Temperance Cellars 1637 E Laurel Ave Lompoc Ca 93436-4915 Tensley Wine 9110 Alisos Canyon Rd Los Alamos Ca 93440
Tercero Wines 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave #10 Los Olivos Ca 93441 Terre Et Sang Lie 4457 Santa Rosa Rd Ste2 Lompoc Ca 93436 Terre Et Sang Lie 2982 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441
Terre Et Sang Lie 2944 Gaviota St Solvang Ca 93463
Tessa Marie Wines & Triune 2643 Industrial Pkwy Santa Maria Ca 93455-1536 Thorne Wine Thorne Cellars 35 & 70 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9565 Tierra Y Vino 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507 Tin City Cider 2360 Alamo Pintado Rd Los Olivos Ca 93441 Tomi Cellars 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507
Tommy Town Thoroughbreds 5699 Happy Canyon Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Torettis Family Vineyard 2920 Grand Ave Unite Los Olivos Ca 93441 Torettis Family Vineyard 9050 San Antonio Rd Orcutt Ca 93455 Toussaint Cellars 92 2nd St Ste C & D Buellton Ca 93427-9470 Transcendence 300 N 12th St Ste 1g Lompoc Ca 93436-9442 Transcendence Winery 300 N G St Ste C Lompoc Ca 93436-6020 Tres Hermanas Vineyard & Wine 346 Bell St Los Alamos Ca 93440 Tres Hermanas Vineyard & Wine 9660 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Trical 1251 W Laurel Ave Units 9 - 13 Lompoc Ca 93436-5157 Tripp Wines 321 N D St Lompoc Ca 93436-6118
Trippers & Askers 406 E Haley St Ut 1 Santa Barbara Ca 93101-1714 True Believer Lie Santa Maria Mesa Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Turiya Wines 321 N D St Lompoc Ca 93436-6118
Two Wolves Wine 1480 Count Fleet St Santa Ynez Ca 93460 ATTACHMENT 1
SBCWID Management District Plan 35
November 26, 2024
Tyler 23 & 25 E Canon Perdido St Santa Barbara Ca 93101-2213 Tyler Winery 300n 12th St Unit 4a & 4b Lompoc Ca 93436
Valley Project The 74 Aero Camino Ste B Goleta Ca 93117-3152 Valley To The Sea 38 W Victoria St Ste 105 Santa Barbara Ca 93101-3166 Valley To The Sea Winery 6485 Calle Real Ste E & F Goleta Ca 93117-1539 Valmur 5428 Presquile Dr Santa Maria Ca 93455-5812
Vega Vineyard And Farm 9496 Santa Rosa Rd Buellton Ca 93427 Vega Vineyard And Farm 3555 Roblar Ave Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Vega Vineyard Farm 3555 Roblar Ave Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Velvet Bee Wine 4457 Santa Rosa Rd Bldg2 Lompoc Ca 93436 Vignerons 4665 Santa Maria Mesa Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Village Pop Wine 321 N D St Lompoc Ca 93436-6118
Vincent Vineyards 2370 N Refugio Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Voyz'n Wines 2330 Westgate Rd Ste 10 & 20 Santa Maria Ca 93455-1018 Wathen Wines, Barieau Wines 7600 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454-9170 Waylan Wine Co 2963 Grand Ave Los Olivos Ca 93441
Waylan Wine Co 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Wedell Cellars 2705 & 2717 Aviation Way Santa Maria Ca 93455-1505 Wenzlau Vineyard 300 N 12th St Unit 4a Lompoc Ca 93436-9444 Wenzlau Vineyard 724 Union St Santa Barbara Ca 93103-3328 Whitcraft Winery 36 S Calle Cesar Chavez A Santa Barbara Ca 93103 Williamson Family Wines 1980 Paquita Dr Carpinteria Ca 93103 Windrun Wine Co. 140 Industrial Way Buellton Ca 93427-9507 Windrun Wine Co. 1595 E Chestnut Ave Ste C Lompoc Ca 93436-4942 Wines By Alisa Jacobson 3555 Roblar Ave Unit B Santa Ynez Ca 93460 World Source Supply 2045 N Refugio Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460 Wylde Works 609 State St Santa Barbara Ca 93101-3301
Yata Eagle Wines 2121 Alisos Rd Santa Ynez Ca 93460
Zaca Mesa Winery 6905 Foxen Canyon Rd Santa Maria Ca 93454 Zarif Companies 300 N G St Ste C Lompoc Ca 93436-6020
Zotovich Vineyards And Winery 300 N 12th St Unit 1d Lompoc Ca 93436-9442 Zotovich Vineyards And Winery 300 N G St Ste C Lompoc Ca 93436-6020 *The list was developed with the most reliable information provided; however, the list may contain discrepancies. This list shall include any future to-be opened businesses. Any business that may have been missed in this list, but is still within the boundaries of the SBCWID, shall also be subject to assessment.
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 2
ATTACHMENT 2
ATTACHMENT 2
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
BARBARA GRANTING CONSENT TO THE COUNTY OF
SANTA BARBARA TO ESTABLISH THE SANTA BARBARA
COUNTY WINE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (SBC WINE BID)
AND INCLUDE TERRITORY WITHIN THE CITY OF SANTA
BARBARA IN THE ESTABLISHED DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the Property and Business Improvement Law of 1994, Streets and Highways Code § 36600 et seq., authorizes the County of Santa Barbara (County) to establish business improvement districts for the purposes of promoting assessed businesses; WHEREAS, the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association, wine tasting facility owners, and representatives from the County have met to consider the formation of the SBCWID; WHEREAS, the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association has drafted a Management District Plan (Plan) which sets forth the proposed boundary of the SBCWID, a service plan and budget, and a proposed means of governance;
WHEREAS, the proposed SBCWID includes all wine tasting facilities, existing and in the future, located within the boundaries of the County, which includes the unincorporated areas of the County and the cities of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang, Buellton, Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Guadalupe; WHEREAS, in accordance with Streets and Highways Code section 36620.5, the County Board of Supervisors has adopted Resolution No. 24-282 requesting consent from the City Council of il of the City of Santa Barbara to include territory of the City within the proposed SBCWID.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA AS FOLLOWS:
1. The above recitals are true and correct.
2. Santa Barbara County is hereby granted consent to include territory within the boundaries of the City of Santa Barbara in the SBCWID for the formation of the SBCWID and future renewals.
3. The Clerk of the City of Santa Barbara is hereby directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the Clerk of the County of Santa Barbara.
4. This Resolution is effective upon its adoption.
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Community Development Department
SUBJECT: Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance
Introduction]
RECOMMENDATION: That Council:
A. Introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending the Santa Barbara Municipal Code by Adding Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards;
B. Introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending the Santa Barbara Municipal Code by Amending Chapters 30.15, 30.140, 30.145, 30.205, 30.220, 30.250, 30.295 and
30.300 Pertaining to Regulations for Objective Design and Development Standards and Miscellaneous Clean-Ups;
C. Repeal Resolution No. 21-031 adopting the Objective Design and Development Standards for Streamlined Housing Projects in its entirety; and D. Determine that the Title 25 and Title 30 Amendments are consistent with the General Plan.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Increasingly, State laws mandate a streamlined, ministerial approval process for eligible multi-unit housing projects that comply with objective design and development standards.
Projects that qualify for streamlined approval are only subject to objective zoning and design review standards, as defined in the legislation. The Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards respond to the State’s requirements for objective standards while maintaining the City’s standard aesthetics and sensitivity to historic and neighborhood context. The purpose of the ODDS is to provide clear, objective, and Agenda Item No. 12
File Code No. 640.09
Council Agenda Report
Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction]
February 4, 2025
measurable standards to make the requirements for housing projects more predictable and easier to interpret for everyone—decision-makers, staff, applicants, and the public.
The related Title 30 Zoning Ordinance amendments include regulations for implementation of the objective design review process and other minor corrections and clarifications that reflect recent changes to State law, implement Housing Element programs, or simply make the ordinance more readable and easier to interpret.
DISCUSSION:
The Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS) implement 2023– 2031 Housing Element Program HE-7: Objective Design Standards. They are proposed as a new Title 25 of the Municipal Code to provide detailed objective design and development review standards and a process for developers seeking streamlined design review in accordance with State law. The ODDS will apply to all areas of the City currently zoned for two or more residential units (about 21 percent of all city parcels, Figure 1). The project also includes related amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance to regulate the new design review process and provide objective findings for projects using the ODDS.
Figure 1: ODDS Project Area
Council Agenda Report
Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction]
February 4, 2025
Project Background
In 2021, the City was awarded a $300,000 Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grant from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to prepare the Objective Design and Development Standards. The City hired Opticos Design, Inc., a leader in the field of objective design standards that promote walkable urban places1, to prepare the design standards and work on related tasks. A work group composed of representatives from the Architectural Board of Review (ABR), Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC), Planning Commission, and American Institute of Architects (AIA) was formed to advise staff, serve as subject matter experts, and comment on draft materials.
Opticos Design’s approach included incorporating Santa Barbara’s existing and intended physical character into the new standards. Preparation and research included a staff-led site tour and group interviews with developers, affordable housing advocates, and community members to inform the process with ideas and observations of the existing design review process, zoning, and built results. The outcome was an Existing Conditions report that analyzed elements and characteristics that shape the city’s physical qualities and prevalent architectural styles by neighborhood to inform which physical characteristics should become objective design standards.
The ODDS building location, form, and style regulations were carefully calibrated to ensure new residential and mixed-use buildings would fit seamlessly into neighborhoods and encourage pedestrian-friendly design. The ODDS include multiple standards to ensure that the ground floor of each building along the public realm supports walkable places that are active and visually engaging. The elements that work together to make the public realm appealing are building location and height, depth of ground floor occupiable space, and the building frontage that provides the transition and interface between the public and private realms (setback is it at/near the sidewalk).
The work program included considerable public input via surveys and meetings, and drafts of the ODDS were posted for public input and presented to the HLC, ABR, and Planning Commission. Throughout the process, public review drafts of the ODDS and related maps, fact sheets, and other project-related information was noticed and posted on the Santa Barbara Design Standards webpage.
In August 2024, the Planning Commission held two hearings to review and make a recommendation to City Council on the ODDS and Title 30 amendments. Both hearings included a robust discussion and recommendations for text and map changes to Title 25 and Title 30, which were incorporated into both documents. At the final hearing, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended that City Council add Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards to the Municipal Code and amend Title 30 1Opticos received a 2024 American Planning Association of California Award of Excellence in recognition of City of Campbell’s Multi-Family Design & Development Standards and prepared Association of Bay Area Government’s Objective Design Standards Handbook, among other achievements.
Council Agenda Report
Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction]
February 4, 2025
pertaining to process and other regulations for the ODDS with the changes presented by staff.
The City Council Ordinance Committee held a hearing in October 2024 to make a recommendation to City Council. The Ordinance Committee had multiple questions and continued the hearing to December 2024. Staff returned with responses to the initial broad questions on the ODDS, and Ordinance Committee made a motion to forward the ODDS to Council for discussion and consideration with amendments and comments described on pages 7 and 8 of this report.
Overview of Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards For decades, the City has used discretionary design review to assert significant oversight and discretion in new development, consistent with the City’s charter direction to ensure protection and preservation of the community’s natural beauty and charm. To address California’s housing crisis, the state has increasingly passed legislation that prohibits review and approval per subjective guidelines for certain multi-unit housing projects. An example of a guideline vs. a standard is shown in Table A.
Table A: Guideline vs. Standard
El Pueblo Viejo Guideline ODDS Requirement
Doors and windows should be recessed
away from outer wall surfaces.
Door Frame Recess
4" min. from face of door to face of
surround.
Window Frame Recess
Depth 2" min. from face of surround to
face of sash.
This transition from using subjective design guidelines to objective design standards for specific types of housing projects is a significant shift for the City, but it provides an opportunity to advance housing production while maintaining the City’s design priorities.
The City benefits from ODDS by having a standard of review for projects using objective standards and more complete applications that necessitate fewer changes and resubmittals. Applicants benefit by having clear and predictable design expectations, fewer design review hearings (due to combining Project Design and Final Approvals), and limits on appeals. The community benefits by enjoying new compatible housing projects that preserve local character and enhance neighborhoods.
Applicability
The ODDS will be available in areas of the City that are zoned to allow two or more residential units (e.g., Two-Unit Residential [R-2], Residential Multi-Unit [RM], and other multi-unit and mixed-use zones). The ODDS work in conjunction with the entire Santa Barbara Municipal Code to implement state law that requires “…objective general plan, zoning, and subdivision standards and criteria, including design review standards…” per Council Agenda Report
Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction]
February 4, 2025
the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (Senate Bill 330) and similar legislation. The ODDS will apply in the Coastal Zone, but ODDS projects will also require a Coastal Development Permit and consistency with Coastal Land Use Plan policies.
Objective Design Review Process
The State-mandated processes that limit the City’s ability to deny, make infeasible, or reduce the density of objective housing development projects do not entirely eliminate the requirement for public hearings or design review approval. The City’s Charter requires review of all multi-unit housing projects by either the ABR or HLC. This means that projects using the ODDS will still undergo design review, and any other applicable land use entitlement procedures (e.g., tentative map, development plan, etc.), but the design review and zoning portion will be limited to the objective design and development standards found in the ODDS. ODDS projects would be streamlined and approved in one hearing by combining project design approval and final approval. The findings for approval are limited by State law to the following:
The project, as conditioned, complies with all objective design and development standards.
The project will not result in a specific adverse impact to public health and safety that cannot be mitigated without rendering the project infeasible.
Applicants not seeking project approval under the provision of such State laws can opt out of using ODDS and proceed using the City’s existing subjective design review process.
ODDS Concepts
Form-Based Approach
The ODDS follow strategies established by form-based codes for building placement, design, and other site design requirements, some of which do not currently exist in the City’s Zoning Ordinances. This is why the ODDS include both development (e.g., building form) and design (e.g., architectural style and materials) standards. This integrated approach fosters predictable built results and a high-quality public realm (street and sidewalks), by prioritizing physical form, character, and walkable neighborhoods. The form-based approach addresses the relationship between building facades and the public realm, the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another, and, for larger sites, the scale and types of streets and blocks. The ODDS fill the gaps between what is regulated by zoning (e.g., building setbacks and height) and what is often achieved through design review (e.g., building articulation, pedestrian-friendly frontages, landscape, materials, and neighborhood context).
Council Agenda Report
Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction]
February 4, 2025
ODDS Zones
Similar to Title 30, the ODDS categorize parcels into “zones.” The ODDS zones are based on underlying land use designations/residential densities and existing conditions that generate and support the variety and physical character of existing and new pedestrianoriented, walkable environments. The ODDS zones also provide building standards that ease the transition from the lower-density, two-unit neighborhoods to the higher-density, multi-unit and commercial areas. Each ODDS zone has height, setback, and similar building standards that correlate with the underlying base zone standards in the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance. ODDS zones also regulate allowed building types (ten choices ranging from duplexes to large courtyards), frontages (ten choices ranging from porches to shopfronts), and parking setbacks.
For example, the ODDS Neighborhood Medium (NM) Zone (covering 36 percent of ODDS parcels) is intended to support low-to-moderate intensity housing choices and approximately correlates to the Two-Unit Residential (R-2) zone. Building types allowed in this zone include duplexes and medium multiplexes (three to four units). Neighborhood Large (NL) and Mixed-Use Corridor (MUC) Zones (covering 53 percent of ODDS parcels) are transition areas supporting moderate-to-high intensity housing choices (such as courtyards and large multiplexes) that correlate to both residential and nonresidential base zones. Downtown Edge (DE) and Downtown Core (DC) Zones (about 11 percent of ODDS parcels) promote higher-intensity housing choices (large courtyard and downtown buildings) correlated to nonresidential zones that allow multi-unit housing. Because parcel sizes vary in each zone, the higher-intensity ODDS zones also allow the low-to-moderate intensity housing choices (e.g., duplexes).
Density
The ODDS relies on residential densities established in the Land Use Element (dwelling units per acre) as explained in Section 25.01.040 (Relationship to Santa Barbara General Plan). ODDS projects are required to conform with the General Plan land use designation densities ranging from Low Density Residential (maximum two to three dwelling units per acre) to Priority Housing Overlay (maximum 63 dwelling units per acre). Applicants are responsible for achieving their desired residential densities through choice of unit sizes, building footprint/massing, and building types.
Additionally, ODDS-related Title 30 amendments (Section 30.15.025 Calculating Density) include a change to regulations for rounding fractions when calculating units per acre, which will allow more projects to achieve maximum densities as identified in the General Plan. Title 30 currently rounds down fractions when calculating maximum residential units. For example, a 7,000 square foot lot in R-M, with a land use designation of 15-27 dwelling units an acre, results in fractions of 2.41-4.34 as the maximum number of units.
Current rounding down of fractions means two to four residential units are possible on the site. The proposed change to round up for density calculations will allow more units.
Using the same R-M example, 2.41 and 4.34 will now be able to round up to three to five Council Agenda Report
Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction]
February 4, 2025
residential units. In essence, this proposed change would allow most multi-unit residential projects to achieve one additional unit compared to current rounding rules.
Architectural Styles
Santa Barbara is somewhat unique in that the ODDS regulate architectural style to further refine intended building form and physical character, comply with existing style regulations, and produce new buildings that harmonize with the existing character. Three style groups are allowed with two sub-styles each: 1) Mediterranean, 2) Craftsman, and 3) Contemporary. The ODDS Architectural Styles Map further refines this concept by regulating which areas of the City allow Mediterranean only; Mediterranean and Craftsman; or Mediterranean, Craftsman, and Contemporary.
State Agency Review
The State of California does not have a mandatory review and certification or approval process for Objective Design and Development Standards. Nevertheless, staff proactively consulted with California Coastal Commission (CCC) and Housing and Community Development (HCD) for informal review and questions prior to adoption. CCC staff confirmed that because the ODDS includes language protective of coastal resources and ODDS projects require a Coastal Development Permit, the ODDS would not require a Local Coastal Program amendment to be effective in the Coastal Zone.
After the Ordinance Committee hearing in December 2024, staff reached out to HCD with specific questions and to hear their overall impression. In general, HCD is supportive of the City’s effort. HCD noted that objective design standards are being prepared throughout California and it will take some time after implementation to determine their best use and effectiveness statewide. HCD was encouraged to hear that within a few years of adoption, the City has committed to reviewing the ODDS and making changes as needed. HCD’s input on specific questions is described below.
Amendments to ODDS
Based on Ordinance Committee’s comments and follow-up conversation with HCD, four sections of the ODDS were amended as described below.
1. Applicability
Based on HCD’s input, ODDS Section 25.01.070 (Applicability) C.1 was amended for clarification. This section explains that applicants may opt out of using ODDS for a project, including those projects that qualify under State law for objective review; however, the project will then proceed under the City’s discretionary review process, which voluntarily takes a project outside of the Housing Accountability Act provisions. The italicized portion of this standard was deleted to clarify that all housing projects are still subject to Housing Accountability Act regarding the number of hearings, findings for denial, and similar provisions, regardless of whether the project is being reviewed in a discretionary or objective design review process. For reference, Attachment 1 includes page 5 of the Council Agenda Report
Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction]
February 4, 2025
ODDS as amended and the previous version showing what was changed in strikethrough.
Additional HCD input on a specific zone standard question is provided below.
2. Architectural Styles Map
Ordinance Committee recommended City Council consider changes to the ODDS Architectural Styles Map, included in ODDS Section 25.01.120. This map designates where each architectural style group is allowed: Mediterranean is designated yellow; Mediterranean and Craftsman are designated green; and Mediterranean, Craftsman, and Contemporary are designated blue. The blue areas where the Contemporary style group is allowed were discussed in detail by the Ordinance Committee members, with a recommendation to remove the Contemporary style group from the Upper State Street area and from an area around Vera Cruz Park (i.e., change the designation color from blue to green). The Architectural Styles map was amended to reflect this discussion. For reference, Attachment 2 includes the map as amended and the previous version showing what was changed.
3. Mixed-Use Corridor Standards
At the Ordinance Committee hearing in December 2024, staff recommended that Ordinance Committee consider changes to the building interior setback and stepback2 standards in the Mixed-Use Corridor (MUC) Zone. Ordinance Committee recommended that City Council consider retaining the standards as presented to Ordinance Committee on October 17, 2024. With concurrence from HCD, the MUC Zone standards were amended to better align with existing building setback and stepback standards available for multi-unit residential projects using Title 30 AUD Incentive standards. For reference, Attachment 3 includes page 31 of the ODDS as amended and the previous version highlighting what was changed.
Following is an explanation of why this amendment was included in the ODDS.
The Mixed-Use Corridor (MUC) zone is intended to promote walkable neighborhoods of moderate-to-high intensity housing choices. This zone is a neighborhood-serving commercial corridor that supports high-density residential units connected to transit. The MUC Zone includes parcels along the travel corridors of upper and mid-State Street, De la Vina Street, Mission Street, E. Haley Street, Funk Zone, Milpas Street, Cliff Drive, and Coast Village Road. About 9.5 percent of all ODDS parcels are in the MUC zone.
Parcels in MUC have base zones that range from residential to commercial and manufacturing, but the majority have a commercial or manufacturing base zone (e.g., Commercial General (C-G) or Manufacturing Commercial (M-C)). The C-G and M-C zones also allow Average Unit-Size Density (AUD) program incentives. This means that 2 A stepback is a design element typically applied to the upper-story portion of a building that pushes it farther away from the property line. Stepbacks can reduce the scale of buildings and increase light and air.
Council Agenda Report
Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction]
February 4, 2025
projects developed in accordance with the AUD program are allowed and are provided additional incentives such as increased height and reduced setback standards.
The ODDS were intended to provide the same density and incentives as those available to residential projects using the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance standards. At the time of the Ordinance Committee hearings, staff realized that AUD setback incentives, available for projects on or adjacent to most nonresidential base zones, were not available for projects in the ODDS MUC zone; therefore, the MUC setback and stepback standards were amended to better align with the AUD Program incentives. Note that although the requirement for building stepbacks was removed, projects using the ODDS may still be subject to adjacency standards or other provisions that would result in a partial building recess from the property line. Table B shows the difference between the residential base zone standards and the AUD incentive standards.
Table B: MUC Zone Amendment
Standard ODDS for Adoption 10/17/24
(Residential Base Zone standard)
ODDS for Adoption 2/4/25
(AUD Incentive Standard)
Interior Setback
(side and rear)
6 feet minimum 0 feet minimum if adjacent to a
nonresidential base zone
6 feet minimum if adjacent to a
residential base zone
Front Stepback +5 feet minimum No Front Stepback Required Interior
Stepback
+4 feet minimum No Interior Stepback Required
4. Mixed-Use Corridor Rezones
Based on the MUC amendment above, the ODDS Zone Map (ODDS-ZM, referenced in Section 25.01.110) was amended to change five parcels from MUC to the Neighborhood Large (NL) zone. These five parcels have residential base zones or split zones (i.e., commercial and residential), and the rezone to NL would better align them with existing Title 30 residential base zone standards, which require interior setbacks and front and interior stepbacks. For reference, Attachment 4 includes the map as amended and the previous version showing what was changed.
Ordinance Committee Comments
Appeals
As currently proposed, the design review bodies’ entitlement decision or review authority’s decision on an exemption for an ODDS project may only be appealed by the applicant to City Council. Interested parties do not have standing to appeal, however, this does not preclude a member of the public from challenging approval of an ODDS project in Court through a Writ of Mandate proceeding. Ordinance Committee recommended that City Council consider adding an appeal for interested parties for ODDS projects, possibly to Planning Commission. Staff, with concurrence from HCD, does not recommend this Council Agenda Report
Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards, and Amendments to the Title 30 Zoning Ordinance [Ordinance Introduction]
February 4, 2025