Santa Barbara City Council
February 3, 2026

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

CITY COUNCIL
Randy Rowse
Mayor
Kelly McAdoo
City Administrator
Kristen W. Sneddon
Mayor Pro Tempore
Oscar Gutierrez
Ordinance Committee Chair
John S. Doimas
City Attorney
Eric Friedman
Finance Committee Chair
Meagan Harmon
Mike Jordan
Wendy Santamaria
City Hall
735 Anacapa Street
http://www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov
FEBRUARY 3, 2026, 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/j/89359334270 (Participation via Zoom) • Telephone: Dial 1-669-900-6833, Enter Webinar ID: 893 5933 4270 (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. 02/03/2026 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 1 FEBRUARY 3, 2026 AGENDA
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING - 12:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER

1. Subject: Revenue Tax Measure Poll Results, Discussion and Direction (120.03)
Recommendation: That Finance Committee:

A. Receive a report from staff regarding a recent Revenue Tax Measure Poll that was conducted of likely Santa Barbara voters; and
B. Provide a recommendation to Council regarding a potential Revenue Tax Measure to place on the November 2026 Ballot.
02/03/2026 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 2 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, 2026.

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

CONSENT CALENDAR

2. Subject: Introduction of an Ordinance Approving Agreement 202507 with Kenneth Hall, Sole Proprietor, dba Goleta Building Materials, Inc. at the Airport [Ordinance Introduction; Agreement]
Recommendation: That Council introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Approving and Authorizing the Airport Director to Execute Agreement No. 202507 with Kenneth Hall, Sole Proprietor, dba Goleta Building Materials, Inc., a California corporation, for the Premises Located at 91 Frederick Lopez Road, 90 Frederick Lopez Road, and 90-A Frederick Lopez Road, Santa Barbara, CA, Commencing Upon the Effective Date of the Enabling Ordinance.

3. Subject: Introduction of an Ordinance Approving Agreement 202501 with M/E Inc, at the Airport [Ordinance Introduction; Agreement] Recommendation: That Council introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Approving and Authorizing the Airport Director to Execute Agreement Number 202501 with M/E, Inc, a California Corporation, Located in the Santa Barbara Airport Airline Terminal at 500 James Fowler Road, Commencing Upon the Effective Date of the Enabling Ordinance.
02/03/2026 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 3

4. Subject: Establish a City of Santa Barbara Water Resources Department [Ordinance Introduction]
Recommendation: That Council introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending Title 2 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code by Adding Chapter 2.35 and Amending Section 2.39.040 Relating to the Establishment of a Water Resources Department.

5. Subject: Authorize Execution of the Second Amendment to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Installment Sale Agreement for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project [Ordinance Introduction; Resolution; Agreement]
Recommendation: That Council:

A. Introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Approving the Second Amendment to the Installment Sale Agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project (Project No. 8602- 110); and
B. Adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending Resolution No. 25-066, Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, to Appropriate the Second Amendment to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project.

6. Subject: Change of Status of Sister Cities Relationship with Cusco, Peru [Resolution]
Recommendation: That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Providing for the Re-establishment of a Sister City Relationship with the City of Cusco, Peru.

7. Subject: Authorizing Waterfront Director to Declare Unseaworthy or Dilapidated Vessels as Abandoned Property Pursuant to Harbors and Navigation Code Section 522 [Resolution]
Recommendation: That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Authorizing the Waterfront Director to Remove, Store, and Dispose of Abandoned Vessels in Accordance with California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 522, and Approving Standardized Procedures for Notice and Disposal, Without Requiring Separate City Council Action for Each Individual Vessel.
02/03/2026 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 4

8. Subject: Construction Contracts for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project [Resolution; Agreement] Recommendation: That Council:

A. Award a contract to Leed Electric Inc., for their best value proposal of $1,255,468 for the construction of the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the contract and approve additional expenditures up to $125,547 that may result from contract change orders, for a total expenditure authority of $1,381,015;
B. Authorize the Public Works Director to execute a City Professional Services contract with DCME, Inc. in the amount of $258,780 for construction management and inspection services for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project; and authorize $25,878 for potential extra services, for a total expenditure authority of $284,658; and
C. Adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending Resolution No. 25-066, Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, to Appropriate $250,000 for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project.

9. Subject: Construction Contracts for the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project [Agreement]
Recommendation: That Council:

A. Award a contract to Tierra Contracting Inc., for their best value proposal of $4,398,445 for construction of the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the contract and approve additional expenditures up to $439,845 that may result from contract change orders, for a total expenditure authority of $4,838,290; and
B. Authorize the Public Works Director to execute a City Professional Services contract with Water Systems Consulting Inc., in the amount of $445,966 for construction support services for the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project and authorize $44,597 for potential extra services, for a total expenditure authority of $490,563.
02/03/2026 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 5

10. Subject: Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report Recommendation: That Council:

A. Approve and adopt the City of Santa Barbara Water Supply Management Report for the 2025 Water Year, finding that the groundwater basins are not in overdraft condition in accordance with the conjunctive management element of the City’s Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan; and B. Receive an update on the Three-Year Water Supply Strategy.

REPORT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

PULLED CONSENT ITEMS

CITY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE AND ATTORNEY REPORTS

CITY ADMINISTRATOR

11. Subject: Resolution to Call a Special Election and Approve a Ballot Measure to Amend the City Charter to Modernize Charter Section 521 Relating to Contracts and Leases [Resolution]
Recommendation: That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Approving and Calling for the Submission to the Voters of a City Council Proposed Measure to Amend City Charter Section 521 to Modernize Provisions Relating to City Contracts and Leases of City Property at a Special Municipal Election to be Held in the City on June 2, 2026, and Amending Resolution No. 25-066, Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, to Appropriate $195,000 of General Fund Reserves.

Alternative:

That Council defer action on the proposed resolution and direct staff to prepare and return to Council at the appropriate time a resolution to submit to the voters a City Council proposed measure to amend City Charter Section 521 to modernize provisions relating to City contracts and leases of City property at the general municipal election to be held in November 2026.

COUNCIL AND STAFF COMMUNICATIONS

COUNCILMEMBER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS & ENGAGEMENTS

PUBLIC COMMENT (IF NECESSARY)

ADJOURNMENT

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

MEETING AGENDA
DATE: February 3, 2026 Eric Friedman, Chair
TIME: 12:00 Noon. Wendy Santamaria, Vice Chair
PLACE: Council Chambers Meagan Harmon
City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street
Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator John Doimas, City Attorney Keith DeMartini, Finance Director
IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT: Any person wishing to address the Finance Committee should first complete and deliver a "Request to Speak" form prior to the time that public comment is taken up by the Committee Member. Each speaker will be given a total of 3 minutes to address the Committee. The Finance Committee, upon majority vote, may decline to hear a speaker on the grounds that the subject matter is beyond their jurisdiction.

WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments may also be submitted via email to [email protected] prior to the beginning of the Finance Committee Meeting. All public comments submitted via email will be provided to the Finance Committee and will become part of the public record.

HOW TO REMOTELY OBSERVE AND/OR SPEAK LIVE AT A MEETING:
 Web: https://santabarbaraca-gov.zoom.us/s/85839766181 (Participation via Zoom).  Telephone: Dial 1-669-900-6833, Enter Webinar ID: 858 3976 6181 (press *9 to raise/lower hand; press *6 to mute/unmute).  Online Streaming: Finance Committee meetings are streamed live at https://SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CAP.  TV: Each regular Finance Committee meeting is broadcast live in English and Spanish on City TV Channel 18.

Each televised Finance Committee meeting is closed captioned for the hearing impaired. Check the City TV program guide at https://SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTV for rebroadcasts of Finance Committee meetings.

REPORTS: Copies of the reports relating to agenda items are available for review at https://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 (https://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.

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 Administrator’s Office at 564-5305 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 Administrador de la Ciudad al 564-5305, 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.

ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION:

Subject: Revenue Tax Measure Poll Results, Discussion and Direction Recommendation: That Finance Committee:

A. Receive a report from staff regarding a recent Revenue Tax Measure Poll that was conducted of likely Santa Barbara voters; and
B. Provide a recommendation to Council regarding a potential Revenue Tax Measure to place on the November 2026 Ballot.

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Finance Committee
FROM: Finance Department
SUBJECT: Revenue Tax Measure Poll Results, Discussion and Direction RECOMMENDATION: That Finance Committee:

A. Receive a report from staff regarding a recent Revenue Tax Measure Poll that was conducted of likely Santa Barbara voters; and
B. Provide a recommendation to Council regarding a potential Revenue Tax Measure to place on the November 2026 Ballot.

DISCUSSION:

General Fund Multi-Year Forecast & Budget Challenges
On October 15, 2025, the Finance Committee received a report from staff regarding an update to the General Fund multi-year financial forecast. The adopted General Fund budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 includes total revenues of $243.0 Million and total expenditures of $244.5 Million resulting in a $1.6 Million operating deficit requiring the use of reserves. General Fund revenues recovered strongly following the economic impacts directly related to COVID; however, sales tax and transient occupancy tax revenue growth have leveled off. Staff predict growth in these revenues at a lesser rate in FY2026 and beyond. General Fund expenditures continue to increase annually with most expenses coming from staff and associated benefits and pension costs, as well as higher inflation and capital expenditures. With a projected budget deficit in FY2026 that increases in FY2027, staff and the City Council will need to identify additional, ongoing funding to support existing operations to balance the General Fund budget in future years.

Continuing to control expenditures will also need to be considered.

Staff developed a comprehensive set of revenue generating and expenditure reduction/control options. More than 200 individual ideas were generated and evaluated to determine potential service delivery impacts and revenue generating and cost savings ranges, among others. Staff also categorized the ideas into the following tiers:

Agenda Item No. 1
Finance Committee Agenda Report
Revenue Tax Measure Poll Results, Discussion and Direction February 3, 2026

 Tier 1 – Can be implemented fairly quickly
 Tier 2 – May take more time, but still worth exploring and implementing  Tier 3 – Do not recommend at this time but to be considered in the future On December 2, 2025, the City Council received the same report from staff regarding an update to the General Fund multi-year financial forecast and the Finance Committee’s recommendations for options to prioritize. The City Council confirmed the highest and lowest priority options below:

Highest priorities (recommending to proceed):
 Cannabis excise tax revenue generators:
o Increase cannabis excise tax up to the 20.0% voter approved limit; and o Consider additional revenue generating sales opportunities;  Initiate a poll to assess the viability of possible revenue tax measures for the November 2026 ballot, including tax rates increases for Real Property Transfer Tax (RPT), Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), Utility Users Tax (UUT), and a Parcel Tax; and
 Analyze recreational vehicle camping at the Waterfront parking lots.

Lowest priorities (not recommending to proceed):
 Library closures or reduced hours of operation;
 Allow short-term rentals throughout the City which would generate additional TOT revenue; and
 Increase parking fees.

Revenue Tax Measure Poll
Per the City Council’s direction on December 2, 2025, staff hired Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3), a polling firm the City has collaborated with on prior revenue tax polls, to conduct a poll of likely Santa Barbara voters regarding the potential viability of revenue tax measures on the November 2026 ballot. The poll was executed between December 4-11, 2025. 520 interviews were conducted through telephone calls, emails, and text invitations. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. The poll topics included general community attitudes regarding local government, priorities and issues facing residents, as well as opinions regarding how hypothetical TOT and RPT revenue tax measures would be received. City and FM3 staff will present the poll results to the Finance Committee.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

General Fund Multi-Year Forecast Impact
The adopted General Fund budget for FY2026 and FY2027 calls for the use of reserves of $1.6 Million and $5.9 Million, respectively, to balance the budget. The General Fund has previously and is projected to continue to have structural operating deficits as ongoing Finance Committee Agenda Report
Revenue Tax Measure Poll Results, Discussion and Direction February 3, 2026

revenue growth is not adequate to fund the ongoing expenditure growth of existing operations.

Since FY2026 began on July 1, 2025, the City has been negotiating with many collective bargaining units, including the Police Officers Association (POA), Fire Association (FA), Police Managers Association (PMA), and Fire Managers Association (FMA), all of which are entirely funded by the General Fund. The salary increase assumptions built into the FY2026 and FY2027 budget were 5.0% and 4.0%, respectively. The cost of all recent public safety agreements exceeds the assumptions in the FY2026 and FY2027 budget, which will result in increased deficits. In preparation for the Q1 FY2026 report, staff will incorporate these additional costs into the FY2026 projection.

Without any additional revenue or expenditure reductions in the General Fund, the FY2026 and FY2027 deficits will be larger thus requiring additional reserves to be used to balance the budget. If no budget changes are made, all General Fund contingency reserves will be depleted by the end of FY2026, and all General Fund disaster reserves will be depleted by the middle of FY2029.

Polling Expense
The City entered into a professional services agreement with FM3 to complete up to two surveys on potential revenue tax measures for the November 2026 ballot not to exceed $77,000. The agreement is funded using available appropriated reserves in the General Fund operating budget in FY2026.

Revenue Projection from Potential Revenue Tax Measures
If the voters approved of the TOT rate increase from 12.0% to 14.0% on the November 2026 ballot, the new rate would take effect on January 1, 2027. The additional TOT revenue in FY2027 would be approximately $2.9 Million, and the additional revenue in FY2028, the first full year of implementation, would be approximately $5.8 Million.

If the voters approved of the RPT rate increase of $9.50 per $1,000.00 on real property/transfers over $3.0 Million on the November 2026 ballot, the new rate would take effect early in 2027. Assuming the first full year of implementation would be in FY2028, the additional RPT revenue would be approximately $5.1 Million.

The revenue generated from a revenue tax measure can be used to fund General Fund priorities and could have a positive impact on reserves.

ATTACHMENT: Opinions on Local Funding in the City of Santa Barbara

PREPARED AND
SUBMITTED BY: Keith DeMartini, Finance Director
APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
220-7755
Opinions on Local Funding in the
City of Santa Barbara
Highlights of a Local Voter Survey
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000

ATTACHMENT
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 2 Survey Methodology
(Note: Not All Results Will Sum to 100% Due to Rounding) Dates December 4-11, 2025
Research Population Likely November 2026 Voters in the City of Santa Barbara Total Interviews 520
Margin of Sampling Error (Full Sample) ±4.4% at the 95% Confidence Level (Half Sample) ±6.2% at the 95% Confidence Level
Contact Methods
Data Collection Modes
Survey Tracking March 2017, May 2023, May 2024
Languages English & Spanish
Text
Invitations
Telephone
Calls
Email
Invitations
Telephone
Interviews
Online
Interviews
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 3 General Community Attitudes
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 4 A majority continues to perceive
that the City needs additional funding.

Q. In your personal opinion, do you think there is a great need, some need, a little need, or no real need for additional funds to provide the level of city services that Santa Barbara residents need and want? 25%
23%
27%
21%
31%
35%
40%
40%
9%
15%
13%
14%
24%
15%
13%
16%
11%
11%
7%
9%
December 2025
May 2024
May 2023
March 2017
Great Need Some Need A Little Need No Real Need Don't Know Great/ Some
Need
A Little/
No Real
Need
56% 33%
58% 30%
67% 26%
61% 31%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 5 The most serious problems in the minds of voters are the cost of housing, cost of living, lack of affordable housing and vacant stores Downtown.

Q. Next, please consider the following issues people in Santa Barbara may be concerned about. For each one, please indicate whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, not too serious of a problem or not a problem at all for people who live in Santa Barbara. ^Not Part of Split Sample 66%
54%
41%
35%
31%
20%
26%
22%
16%
22%
29%
31%
26%
34%
22%
25%
14%
16%
16%
26%
30%
24%
23%
27%
6%
6%
4%
10%
19%
14%
14%
8%
4%
8%
5%
7%
6%
The cost of housing
The cost of living
The lack of affordable housing
The number of vacant storefronts in Downtown
^The number of homeless people in Santa Barbara
Wildfires and other natural disasters
^The number of homes converted to short-term rentals
A lack of good-paying jobs
Extremely Serious Problem Very Serious Problem Somewhat Serious Problem Not Too Serious Problem Not a Problem at All Don’t Know Extremely/Very Serious Problem
81%
75%
70%
66%
57%
54%
48%
48%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 6 The amount of local taxes and fees is not a top concern.

Q. Next, please consider the following issues people in Santa Barbara may be concerned about. For each one, please indicate whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, not too serious of a problem or not a problem at all for people who live in Santa Barbara. ^Not Part of Split Sample 21%
15%
21%
18%
19%
12%
9%
25%
30%
23%
21%
18%
24%
16%
25%
30%
24%
25%
18%
31%
26%
9%
15%
6%
17%
30%
27%
39%
5%
5%
24%
5%
11%
4%
10%
15%
4%
15%
4%
^The impact of federal and state budget cuts on local
City services
The condition of the local economy
The impact of climate change
Pollution that flows into storm drains and empties into local coastal waters and onto local beaches
^The amount you pay in local taxes and fees
The number of potholes on City streets and roads
Traffic congestion on local streets and roads
Extremely Serious Problem Very Serious Problem Somewhat Serious Problem Not Too Serious Problem Not a Problem at All Don’t Know Extremely/Very Serious Problem
46%
46%
44%
39%
37%
36%
25%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 7 The impacts of tourism, condition of the tourism economy and condition of public libraries are all rated as serious problems by very low percentages of voters.

Q. Next, please consider the following issues people in Santa Barbara may be concerned about. For each one, please indicate whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, not too serious of a problem or not a problem at all for people who live in Santa Barbara. ^Not Part of Split Sample 11%
10%
13%
11%
8%
9%
4%
11%
13%
9%
7%
10%
8%
11%
8%
5%
5%
33%
23%
18%
32%
13%
35%
36%
19%
8%
13%
24%
30%
30%
33%
28%
25%
40%
40%
24%
24%
12%
21%
20%
12%
35%
11%
6%
28%
18%
35%
7%
4%
11%
5%
6%
12%
4%
42%
21%
The condition of City infrastructure
The lack of safe bike lanes
Too much growth and development
Property crime, such as break-ins and theft
The impacts of tourism on residents’ quality of life
The condition of the local tourism economy
Crime in general
The condition of City parks
911 emergency response times
^The condition of local public libraries
Extremely Serious Problem Very Serious Problem Somewhat Serious Problem Not Too Serious Problem Not a Problem at All Don’t Know Extremely/Very Serious Problem
23%
23%
22%
18%
18%
17%
14%
11%
8%
7%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 8 City Budget Priorities
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 9 The top priorities for the City budget include maintaining public safety in a variety of ways, retaining and attracting local businesses, protecting drinking water sources and improving housing affordability for the local workforce.

Q. The next question is about the services provided by the City of Santa Barbara and aspects of City budgeting. For each one, please indicate whether it is extremely important to you, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important to you personally. ^Not Part of Split Sample 54%
51%
44%
65%
48%
50%
40%
55%
37%
38%
45%
22%
37%
32%
40%
24%
8%
8%
10%
12%
12%
18%
12%
15%
7%
Maintaining fire and paramedic response
Retaining and attracting local businesses
^Keeping public areas safe and clean
Maintaining 911 emergency response
Keeping neighborhood fire stations open and staffed
Protecting local drinking water sources
Maintaining essential City services
Improving housing affordability for
Santa Barbara’s workforce
Extremely Important Very Important Somewhat Important Not Too Important Don't Know Extremely/Very Important
91%
89%
89%
87%
85%
81%
80%
79%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 10 Continued
Q. The next question is about the services provided by the City of Santa Barbara and aspects of City budgeting. For each one, please indicate whether it is extremely important to you, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important to you personally. ^Not Part of Split Sample 42%
39%
35%
40%
36%
35%
39%
31%
36%
34%
38%
41%
34%
38%
40%
34%
43%
36%
21%
20%
22%
20%
16%
20%
16%
18%
22%
7%
5%
4%
5%
8%
4%
Maintaining storm drains to keep beaches clean
Helping to maintain quality of life for residents
Supporting local small businesses
Maintaining the City’s long-term financial stability
Maintaining police response
^Addressing homelessness
Upgrading outdated emergency communications
systems
Preventing homelessness
Improving wildfire and natural disaster preparedness
Extremely Important Very Important Somewhat Important Not Too Important Don't Know Extremely/Very Important
76%
76%
75%
74%
74%
74%
73%
73%
72%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 11 Continued
Q. The next question is about the services provided by the City of Santa Barbara and aspects of City budgeting. For each one, please indicate whether it is extremely important to you, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important to you personally. ^Not Part of Split Sample 50%
24%
38%
35%
25%
37%
33%
30%
28%
23%
20%
46%
31%
34%
42%
28%
31%
34%
36%
40%
17%
28%
20%
27%
23%
18%
29%
21%
25%
29%
12%
8%
8%
14%
7%
4%
10%
6%
11%
Improving housing affordability for working-class and
low-income families and individuals
Maintaining the condition of City parks
^Improving the condition of Downtown Santa Barbara
Maintaining youth services
Maintaining services for the disabled
Reducing homelessness
^Repairing local streets and potholes
^Qualifying for state and federal matching grants
^Providing emergency homeless services
Maintaining services for veterans
Extremely Important Very Important Somewhat Important Not Too Important Don't Know Extremely/Very Important
70%
70%
69%
69%
67%
66%
64%
64%
64%
64%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 12 Q. The next question is about the services provided by the City of Santa Barbara and aspects of City budgeting. For each one, please indicate whether it is extremely important to you, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important to you personally. ^Not Part of Split Sample Housing Priorities Tested in Survey
55%
35%
31%
50%
37%
28%
27%
27%
15%
24%
40%
43%
20%
28%
36%
36%
33%
33%
15%
20%
18%
17%
18%
25%
28%
20%
42%
5%
4%
12%
14%
10%
6%
18%
9%
4%
Improving housing affordability for Santa Barbara’s
workforce
^Addressing homelessness
Preventing homelessness
Improving housing affordability for working-class and
low-income families and individuals
Reducing homelessness
^Providing emergency homeless services
^Providing emergency shelter
Providing supportive housing
Providing transitional housing
Extremely Important Very Important Somewhat Important Not Too Important Don't Know Extremely/Very Important
79%
74%
73%
70%
66%
64%
63%
60%
48%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 13 Initial Opinions on
Housing Funding Ballot Measures
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 14 Hypothetical Housing Funding Ballot Questions
Tested in Survey
Q. Do you think you would vote yes or no on this measure? Split Sample Transient Occupancy Tax Property Transfer Tax

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA HOUSING AFFORDABILITY,
HOMELESSNESS REDUCTION MEASURE:

Shall the measure improving housing affordability for
Santa Barbara’s workforce, working-class/low-income
families/individuals, others; addressing/reducing/
preventing homelessness, including providing
emergency services/shelter, supportive housing;
qualifying for state/federal matching grants; by
increasing the transient occupancy tax (paid by
hotel/motel guests only) from 12% to 14%, providing
approximately $5,800,000 annually until ended by
voters, requiring audits, public spending disclosure, all funds used locally, be adopted?

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA HOUSING AFFORDABILITY,
HOMELESSNESS REDUCTION MEASURE.

Shall the measure improving housing affordability for
Santa Barbara’s workforce, working-class/low-income
families/individuals, others; addressing/reducing/
preventing homelessness, including providing
emergency services/shelter, supportive housing;
keeping public areas safe/clean; qualifying for
state/federal matching grants; by levying $9.50 per
$1,000 on real property sales/transfers over
$3,000,000 only, providing $5,100,000 annually until
ended by voters, requiring audits, public spending
disclosure, all funds used locally, be adopted?
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 15 On the initial vote, neither measure reaches the two-thirds threshold required for passage and the Transfer Tax is under 50%.

Q. Do you think you would vote yes or no on this measure? Split Sample 29%
13%
7%
26%
26%
Transient Occupancy Tax Property Transfer Tax
41%
16%
8%
23%
12%
Definitely yes
Probably yes
Probably no
Definitely no
Undecided
Total
Yes
57%
Total
Yes
42%
Total
No
31%
Total
No
33%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 16 Impact of Information
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 17 Several statements about a housing measure are impactful with about two-thirds of voters, including references to workforce housing, keeping children in the city, qualifying for matching funds and addressing homelessness.

Q. Now please consider the following statements from people who may support the CITY OF SANTA BARBARA HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS REDUCTION MEASURE you considered earlier. For each statement, please indicate if it makes you much more inclined or somewhat more inclined to vote yes on this measure. *Split Sample 39%
42%
43%
36%
32%
26%
24%
30%
70%
68%
67%
66%
Much More Inclined Somewhat More Inclined
(LIVE AND WORK) Santa Barbara will be a better and stronger community when our local nurses, firefighters, teachers and other essential workers can afford to live here in the city where they work.

This measure will help create more affordable housing so that workers can afford to live in the communities where they teach our children and keep us safe. *(CHILDREN) Hundreds of Santa Barbara families are forced to move every year because of rent increases. And many times, parents cannot afford to rent an apartment in the same school district, so they have to pull their kids out of school, putting them behind. This measure will help make it easier for families to find an affordable place to live.
(MATCHING FUNDS) This measure will unlock millions of dollars in existing state and federal matching funds to help the City of Santa Barbara provide more of the housing it needs. In fact, for every dollar we contribute, state and federal dollars could match it up to 10 to 1, turning, for example, $1 million into $10 million. Without this measure, those state and federal funds will just go to other California cities instead.
(HOMELESSNESS) There are over 1,000 homeless individuals living on the streets in Santa Barbara on any given night, including veterans and families with young children. This measure will help the City address homelessness including connecting people with mental health, substance abuse treatment services, shelter, supportive housing and job training, to help them transition away from or stay off the street, as well as to ensure our business districts, parks and other public areas are safe for everyone.

CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 18 Continued
Q. Now please consider the following statements from people who may support the CITY OF SANTA BARBARA HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS REDUCTION MEASURE you considered earlier. For each statement, please indicate if it makes you much more inclined or somewhat more inclined to vote yes on this measure. *Split Sample 39%
32%
38%
25%
32%
22%
64%
64%
60%
Much More Inclined Somewhat More Inclined
*(VISITORS) This measure will not increase taxes for local Santa Barbara residents. It will be paid only by out-of-town visitors and tourists when they stay at a hotel, motel, or short-term rental in our city.

The measure will ensure that visitors from out of town pay their fair share and contribute to making Santa Barbara a more affordable place to live.
(ACCOUNTABILITY) This measure includes strict accountability requirements including public disclosure of all spending, and independent annual financial audits which will be available online. And by law, all money from the measure will stay local to benefit residents of the City of Santa Barbara. (UNAFFORDABLE) The cost of renting a home in Santa Barbara causes extreme financial hardship for too many people. About 25% of Santa Barbara’s renters spend more than half their income on rent.

This measure helps make Santa Barbara a more affordable place for people to live.

CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 19 Continued
Q. Now please consider the following statements from people who may support the CITY OF SANTA BARBARA HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS REDUCTION MEASURE you considered earlier. For each statement, please indicate if it makes you much more inclined or somewhat more inclined to vote yes on this measure. *Split Sample 34%
31%
21%
26%
25%
26%
34%
28%
59%
57%
55%
54%
Much More Inclined Somewhat More Inclined
(AFFORDABLE HOUSING) The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing the residents of Santa Barbara. This measure will allow the City to do more to make housing affordable, including increasing the supply of affordable housing for workers, low-income families and others who are struggling to afford to live in our city.
*(WAITING LIST) There is a waiting list of thousands of seniors, veterans, families with children or others who need help finding housing that is affordable enough for them to stay in Santa Barbara. This measure helps to make it possible for more residents to stay in our community and afford the cost of rent. *(WEALTHY PAY MORE) The measure is designed to be fair and have no impact on the cost of living for residents. It only applies when a home is sold, and those selling very expensive homes contribute more to housing affordability.
(PREVENT CUTS) With the state of the economy and cuts coming to the city from the federal and state government, if there is no additional funding, the City could need to cut funding from the services that residents depend on. This measure will prevent cuts to essential services which could include youth, senior, and parks programs, libraries and more.

CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 20 Support for the Transfer Tax measure increases substantially after information, but neither measure reaches the two-thirds threshold.

Q. Do you think you would vote yes or no on this measure? Split Sample 41%
16%
8%
23%
12%
36%
23%
2%
26%
13%
29%
13%
7%
26%
26%
35%
26%
6%
22%
11%
Initial Vote Vote After Information Initial Vote
Transient Occupancy Tax Property Transfer Tax
Vote After Information
Definitely yes
Probably yes
Probably no
Definitely no
Undecided
Total
Yes
57%
Total
Yes
42%
Total
No
31%
Total
No
33%
Total
Yes
59%
Total
No
28%
Total
No
28%
Total
Yes
61%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 21 After opposition, support for the TOT drops two points, while the Transfer Tax falls to just 50% support.

Q. Do you think you would vote yes or no on this measure? Split Sample 57% 59% 57%
42%
61%
50%
31% 28% 30% 33%
28%
32%
12% 13% 13% 26% 11%
17%
Initial
Vote
Vote After
Information
Vote After
Opposition
Initial
Vote
Vote After
Information
Vote After
Opposition
Total Yes
Total No
Undecided
Transient Occupancy Tax Property Transfer Tax
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 22 66%
70%
62% 59%
63%
53%
63%
29%
23%
29%
35%
31%
38% 37%
6% 7% 10%6% 6% 9%
Initial
Vote
Vote After
Information
Vote After
Negatives
Initial
Vote
Vote After
Information
Vote After
Negatives Election Results
Total Yes
Total No
Undecided
May 2023 May 2024
Comparison of 2023/2024 Surveys and Measure I Election Results November 2024
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 23 Opinions on a Library Measure
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 24 Hypothetical Library Measure Tested in Survey
Q. Do you think you would vote yes or no on this measure? SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY SAFETY, REPAIR, SERVICES MEASURE.

Shall the measure maintaining library hours, services, educational programs accessibility for residents of all ages/abilities; repairing deteriorating roofs, plumbing, electrical/gas lines, removing asbestos/mold/lead paint; updating outdated technology; providing homework help for children/teens; keeping qualified librarians, by levying $49 per parcel, limiting annual adjustments to 3%, providing $1,300,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring audits, public spending disclosures, all funds used locally, be adopted?
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 25 There is less than majority support for a parcel tax
for library repair and services.

Q. Do you think you would vote yes or no on this measure? 24%
17%
9%
27%
24%
Definitely yes
Probably yes
Probably no
Definitely no
Undecided
Total
Yes
41%
Total
No
36%
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 26 Conclusions
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 27 Conclusions
• A majority (but less than two-thirds of voters) continues to think that the City needs additional funding.
• While addressing housing affordability is a major priority for Santa Barbara voters, a city ballot measure focused exclusively on the issue and funded by either a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) or Property Transfer Tax does not have sufficient support at this point to reach the two-thirds level required for passage. • Both measures benefit from a dedicated informational effort but fall well below the two-thirds level after simulating some organized opposition. • A library parcel tax measure is very unlikely to be successful in the November 2026 election.
• Although not tested in this survey, a general purpose TOT measure has a good chance of being viable, given voters’ prioritization of elements of the City’s budget, and the response to a housing-focused TOT measure.

CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION. CA GOV’T CODE 7922.000 28 Conclusions; Continued
• The leading concerns in the city are the cost of housing and lack of affordable housing, the cost of living, the number of vacant storefronts Downtown and homelessness.
• The top priorities for City funding include various elements of public safety, retaining and attracting local businesses, protecting local drinking water sources and improving workforce housing affordability.
• Additional top housing-related priorities include addressing, preventing and/or reducing homelessness (including emergency homeless services and shelter) and improving affordability for working-class and low-income families and individuals.

John Fairbank
[email protected]
Adam Sonenshein
[email protected]

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 03, 2026
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, 2026.

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, 2026.

ATTACHMENT: February 2026 Service Awards
PREPARED BY: Talhia Dorado, Administrative Specialist
SUBMITTED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
Agenda Item No. 1

ATTACHMENT
FEBRUARY 2026 SERVICE AWARDS
February 03, 2026 Council Meeting
5 Years
Gillian Fennessy, Assistant Planner, Community Development Department Semehi Madrigal, Police Officer, Police Department
Eric Bittle, Supervising Engineer, Public Works Department Arturo Macias, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III, Department of Water Resources Catalina Morancey, Outreach Coordinator, Library Department Todd Newell, Parks Superintendent, Parks & Recreation Department Chris Shrake, Harbor Patrol Officer, Waterfront Department 10 YEARS
Salvatore Parrilla, Administrative Analyst III, Finance Department Angela Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst III, Waterfront Department 15 YEARS
Patrick Irey, Fire Captain, Fire Department
Alex Kargbo, Fire Engineer, Fire Department
Mark Kramer, Fire Engineer, Fire Department
Ryan Ortiz, Fire Captain, Fire Department
Daniel Warren, Fire Engineer, Fire Department
Gabriel Donald, Fire Engineer, Fire Department
Renzo Durbiano, Fire Captain, Fire Department
Jason Fernandes, Firefighter, Fire Department
Jesse Gauna, Fire Engineer, Fire Department
Lucas Baehr, Water Treatment Plant Operator III, Department of Water Resources 20 YEARS
Luis Ornelas, Senior Streets Maintenance Worker, Public Works Department 25 YEARS
Kenneth Kushner, Assistant Police Chief, Police Department Ryan DeJohn, Police Lieutenant, Police Department
Kelly Greeley, Senior Control Systems Operator Specialist, Department of Water Resources

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Airport Department
SUBJECT: Introduction of an Ordinance Approving Agreement 202507 with Kenneth Hall, Sole Proprietor, dba Goleta Building Materials, Inc. at the Airport [Ordinance Introduction; Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION:

That Council introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Approving and Authorizing the Airport Director to Execute Agreement No. 202507 with Kenneth Hall, Sole Proprietor, dba Goleta Building Materials, Inc., a California corporation, for the Premises Located at 91 Frederick Lopez Road, 90 Frederick Lopez Road, and 90-A Frederick Lopez Road, Santa Barbara, CA, Commencing Upon the Effective Date of the Enabling Ordinance.

DISCUSSION:

Kenneth Hall, operating as a sole proprietorship under the name “Goleta Building Materials,” first became a tenant at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport in 1963 and has remained in good standing with the Airport. Throughout this long-standing tenancy and under a number of different lease agreements, Mr. Hall has been a valued tenant and strong partner, operating a rock, sand, and gravel yard with auxiliary retail sales of associated landscaping and hardscape materials, including patio pavers, poured concrete installations, and outdoor kitchen fixtures and equipment.

Under Resolution 93-127, the City may renew a lease with an existing tenant in good standing. As such, the Airport and Goleta Building Materials negotiated a new ten-year lease term, with one five-year option to extend. To exercise the option term, Goleta Building Material will be required to invest $100,000 into improvements to the premises during the initial term. This requirement ensures that the premises are maintained in good condition while providing additional security for the tenant.

Agenda Item No. 2
Council Agenda Report
Introduction of an Ordinance Approving Agreement 202507 with Kenneth Hall, Sole Proprietor, dba Goleta Building Materials, Inc. at the Airport [Ordinance Introduction; Agreement]
February 3, 2026

In accordance with Santa Barbara Municipal Code §18.44.075(A), leases exceeding five years require City Council action. The Airport Commission reviewed the proposed lease on December 10, 2025, and recommends approval.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Under Agreement 202507 between Goleta Building Materials, Inc. and the City of Santa Barbara, the rent is structured as follows:

The Lessee agrees to pay total annual rent of $201,878.16, payable to the City, in monthly installments in advance on or before the first day of each calendar month, of $16,823.18, exclusive of all charges for utilities.

A copy of the contract/agreement is available for public review by emailing [email protected].

PREPARED BY: John Feldhans, Airport Properties Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Christopher Hastert, Airport Director
APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
ORDINANCE NO.____________

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA

BARBARA APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE AIRPORT
DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT NUMBER 202507 WITH

KENNETH HALL, SOLE PROPRIETOR, DBA GOLETA BUILDING
MATERIALS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, FOR THE
PREMISES LOCATED AT 91 FREDRICK LOPEZ ROAD, 90
FREDRICK LOPEZ ROAD, AND 90-A FREDRICK LOPEZ ROAD,

SANTA BARBARA, CA, COMMENCING UPON THE EFFECTIVE

DATE OF THE ENABLING ORDINANCE

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. In accordance with the provisions of Section 521 of the Charter of the City of Santa Barbara, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara approving and authorizing the Airport Director to execute agreement number 202507 with Kenneth Hall, Sole Proprietor, dba Goleta Building Materials, Inc., a California Corporation, for the premises located at 91 Fredrick Lopez Road, 90 Fredrick Lopez Road, and 90-A Fredrick Lopez Road, Santa Barbara, CA, , a copy of which is on file with the City Clerk, is hereby approved.

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Airport Department
SUBJECT: Introduction of an Ordinance Approving Agreement 202501 with M/E Inc, at the Airport [Ordinance Introduction; Agreement] RECOMMENDATION:

That Council introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Approving and Authorizing the Airport Director to Execute Agreement Number 202501 with M/E, Inc, a California Corporation, Located in the Santa Barbara Airport Airline Terminal at 500 James Fowler Road, Commencing Upon the Effective Date of the Enabling Ordinance.

DISCUSSION:

M/E, Inc., operating under the name Santa Barbara News & Gift, has been the Airport’s news and gift concessionaire since the opening of the new Airline Terminal in 2011. The business is operated by Andrew and Kari Martindale. Prior to relocating to the current Terminal, the Martindale family operated a news and gift shop in the former terminal dating back to approximately 1983, making them one of the Airport’s longest-standing commercial partners.

Under Resolution 93-127, the City may renew an agreement with an existing tenant in good standing. The Airport and M/E, Inc. have negotiated a new five-year term, with one five-year option to extend. To exercise the option term, the concessionaire is required to invest a minimum of $50,000 in improvements to the premises during the initial term. All improvements must be pre-approved by the Airport Director and fully completed before the end of the Base Term. This requirement ensures that the concession space remains updated, well-maintained, and aligned with current Airport design and service standards while providing an opportunity for the concessionaire to continue long-term operations.

Agenda Item No. 3
Council Agenda Report
Introduction of an Ordinance Approving Agreement 202501 with M/E Inc, at the Airport [Ordinance Introduction; Agreement]
February 3, 2026

In accordance with Santa Barbara Municipal Code §18.44.075(A), agreements exceeding five years require City Council action. The Airport Commission reviewed the proposed Lease Agreement 202501 on December 10, 2025, and a recommends approval.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Under Agreement 202501 between M/E, Inc. and the City of Santa Barbara, the rent is structured as follows:

The concessionaire agrees to pay the greater of the Minimum Annual Guarantee (MAG) or percentage rent based on gross receipts. For the first year of the agreement, the MAG is $33,051, payable to the City in equal monthly installments of $2,754.25, exclusive of all charges for utilities, trash, recycling, and other applicable fees.

Percentage rent will be calculated monthly and ranges from 7 percent to 12 percent, depending on the sales category and annual revenue tiers as outlined in the agreement.

Beginning in Year Two, the MAG will be adjusted annually to reflect 85 percent of the prior fiscal year’s average monthly gross receipts, provided that the adjusted MAG shall not fall below the initial MAG.

Revenues generated through this concession agreement support the Airport Enterprise Fund, which is fully self-sustaining. No General Fund resources are required.

A copy of the contract/agreement is available for public review by emailing [email protected]
PREPARED BY: Greg Goodsell, Airport Properties Supervisor SUBMITTED BY: Christopher Hastert, Airport Director
APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
ORDINANCE NO.____________

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA

BARBARA APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE AIRPORT
DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT NUMBER 202501 WITH

M/E, INC, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, LOCATED IN THE
SANTA BARBARA AIRPORT AIRLINE TERMINAL AT 500 JAMES

FOWLER ROAD, COMMENCING UPON THE EFFECTIVE DATE

OF THE ENABLING ORDINANCE

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. In accordance with the provisions of Section 521 of the Charter of the City of Santa Barbara, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara approving and authorizing execution of agreement number 202501 with M/E, Inc, a California Corporation, located in the Santa Barbara Airport Airline Terminal at 500 James Fowler Road, a copy of which is on file with the City Clerk, , a copy of which is on file with the City Clerk, is hereby approved.

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: City Attorney’s Office
SUBJECT: Establish a City of Santa Barbara Water Resources Department [Ordinance Introduction]
RECOMMENDATION:

That Council introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending Title 2 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code by Adding Chapter 2.35 and Amending Section 2.39.040 Relating to the Establishment of a Water Resources Department.

DISCUSSION:

Much of the work of the City of Santa Barbara (City) government is conducted under the authority of City departments, of which there are currently 16. Pursuant to Section 702 of Article VII of the City of Santa Barbara Charter, the City Council may, by ordinance or resolution, create additional departments. Under Section 2.39.040 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code, the administration of the Water Department and matters pertaining to water resources have been assigned to the Public Works Department. In recognition of the growing complexity, scope, and strategic importance of the City’s water and wastewater programs, the City Administrator has determined that the establishment of a dedicated Water Resources Department is both prudent and necessary to ensure focused leadership, operational efficiency, and long-term stewardship of these critical municipal functions.

Accordingly, City staff recommends amending the Santa Barbara Municipal Code to establish a new Water Resources Department.

Chapter 2.35 will be added to the Santa Barbara Municipal Code to establish a Water Resources Department for the function of development, maintenance, operation, and administration of programs pertaining to the City’s water and wastewater systems.

With the establishment of the Water Resources Department, the Water Commission shall advise the City Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the Water Resources Agenda Item No. 4
Council Agenda Report
Establish a City of Santa Barbara Water Resources Department [Ordinance Introduction] February 3, 2026

Department, rather than the Public Works Department, consistent with the reorganization of water-related functions described above.

PREPARED BY: Arielle Zamora, Deputy City Attorney
SUBMITTED BY: John S. Doimas, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
1 ORDINANCE NO._______

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
BARBARA AMENDING TITLE 2 OF THE SANTA BARBARA
MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 2.35 AND
AMENDING SECTION 2.39.040 RELATING TO THE

ESTABLISHMENT OF A WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Title 2 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code is amended by adding Chapter 2.35 to read as follows:

2.35.010 Created.

A Water Resources Department is hereby created, which shall be under the direction of the Water Resources Director, who shall be appointed by the City Administrator upon approval of the City Council.

2.35.020 Organization of Department.

The Water Resources Director, subject to the approval of the City Administrator, shall organize and maintain such divisions in the Department as necessary to economically and efficiently carry out the functions of the Department.

2.35.030 Duties of Director.

The Water Resources Director shall be responsible for the supervision and control of all personnel, materials, and equipment assigned to the Department and for the performance of the functions of the Department, subject to the supervision of the City Administrator.
2 2.35.040 Function of Department.

The function of the Department is the administration of matters pertaining to water and wastewater systems, and any other functions assigned by the City Administrator.

2.35.050 Absence or Disability of Director.

In the event of the temporary absence or disability of the Water Resources Director, a member of the Water Resources Department, designated by the City Administrator, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Water Resources Director.

SECTION 2. Section 2.39.040 of Chapter 2.39 of Title 2 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:

The function of the Public Works Department is the administration of the Water Department and matters pertaining to water resources, refuse collection, public streets and transportation, maintenance of City facilities, intra-city and engineering services, and any other functions assigned by the City Administrator.

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Water Resources Department
SUBJECT: Authorize Execution of the Second Amendment to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Installment Sale Agreement for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project [Ordinance Introduction; Resolution; Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION: That Council:

A. Introduce and subsequently adopt, by reading of title only, an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Approving the Second Amendment to the Installment Sale Agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project (Project No. 8602-110); and B. Adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending Resolution No. 25-066, Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, to Appropriate the Second Amendment to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project.

DISCUSSION:

The City’s Braemar Wastewater Lift Station (Lift Station) is the largest and most critical lift station within the wastewater collection system, with a pumping capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute. It is located at the corner of Alan Road and Cliff Drive, adjacent to Arroyo Burro Creek, and serves parts of the Hope Ranch and Campanil neighborhoods, as well as Arroyo Burro Beach County Park. This Lift Station pumps wastewater from the sewer collection system through 3,200 linear feet of force main along Cliff Drive, where it transitions to gravity flow at the corner of Cliff Drive and Mesa Lane.

The Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project (Project) entails a major rehabilitation of the Lift Station’s mechanical and electrical equipment, including the replacement of pumps and motors, electrical systems, piping, bypass connections, and building ventilation systems, along with re-coating the inlet detention tank. The Project is necessary to maintain this critical piece of infrastructure.

The Project is nearing completion; however, an unforeseen cost has arisen stemming from a prolonged delay in the delivery of essential electrical equipment (nearly a nineAgenda Item No. 5 Council Agenda Report
Authorize Execution of the Second Amendment to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Installment Sale Agreement for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project [Ordinance Introduction; Resolution, Agreement]
February 3, 2026

month delay). After several months of negotiations, the City successfully negotiated a resolution that will require an additional $500,000 amendment to the loan amount. The amended total loan amount is $9,851,381. All other terms of the Agreement remain the same.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

On May 24, 2023, the City entered into a 20-year (1.75 percent interest rate) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Installment Sale Agreement (No. D2201003) with the State Water Resources Control Board for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $7,430,411. On August 19, 2024, the City entered into the First Amendment of the Installment Sales Agreement, increasing the total loan amount to $9,351,381 to reflect the lowest construction bid. The recommendations increase the loan amount to cover the total project costs, including design, construction, and project management costs, estimated to be $9,851,381. The amendment to the CWSRF and proposed appropriations will increase the loan amount and ensure there are sufficient expenditure appropriations to cover all anticipated Project costs.

The Wastewater Fund is required to maintain a minimum ratio of net revenue to annual debt service payments of 1.2. This is often referred to as the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR). Based on the adopted four-year Wastewater rates in June 2024, the Wastewater Fund will continue to meet its DSCR requirement after the addition of debt financing for the Project.

A copy of the amended agreement may be requested from the Water Resources Department for public review by contacting [email protected].

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:

The Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project was subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and was determined to be categorically exempt under CEQA Section 15301, for the repair and maintenance of existing facilities.

A Notice of Exemption was prepared and filed with the County Clerk of the Board on August 3, 2021, and posted to the State Clearinghouse (SCH) on August 31, 2021. The SCH Number is 2021080603.

PREPARED BY: Gabriele Cook, Water Resources Business Manager/sjc SUBMITTED BY: Joshua Haggmark, P.E., Water Resources Director APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
1 ORDINANCE NO.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA

BARBARA APPROVING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE

INSTALLMENT SALE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE WATER

RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD FOR THE BRAEMAR LIFT
STATION REHABILITATION PROJECT (PROJECT NO. 8602-
110)
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Barbara (City) intends to construct certain capital improvement projects for the operation of the City’s wastewater treatment system and to finance the construction costs through an installment sale agreement with the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board); WHEREAS, the State Water Board is authorized, and implements its authority, to provide financial assistance to the City through Installment Sales Agreements pursuant to California Water Code Section 13475 et seq. and implementing resolutions; WHEREAS, on January 31, 2023 the City Council approved Ordinance No. 6100, which provides $7,430,411 of funds to enter into a 20-year Clean Water State Revolving Fund Installment Sale Agreement to construct the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project, with 1.75 percent interest accruing thereon, to be repaid by the City in equal annual installments from the Wastewater Fund Net System Revenues for 20 years, beginning one year after completion of construction;
WHEREAS, on July 23, 2024, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 6157, which amended the Installment Sale Agreement to provide additional funding of $1,920,970 to cover anticipated construction costs for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project as construction bids came in higher than the original estimate; WHEREAS, construction expenses for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project came in higher than the First Amendment to the Installation Sale Agreement, necessitating a second Amendment to the Installment Sale Agreement and Ordinance No. 6157 in order to provide additional funding of $500,000 to cover the total project costs for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project; and WHEREAS, the Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Santa Barbara Municipal Code Section 22.100.070 C and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (operation, maintenance, and repair of existing facilities).

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. The recitals are true and correct.

Section 2. The form of the Amendment to the Installment Sale Agreement, on file with the City Clerk, is approved. The Public Works Director and any such other officer or 2 employee of the City as the Public Works Director may designate (the “Authorized Officers”), are each hereby authorized and directed, for and in the name and on behalf of the City, to execute and deliver the Amended Installment Sale Agreement in substantially the form with such changes therein as the Authorized Officer executing the same may require or approve, and as approved as to form by the City Attorney, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery thereof; provided, however, that the principle amount of the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Installment Payments shall have a new not to exceed amount of $9,851,381 and the final Installment Payments shall be payable no later than 20 years following the Notice of Completion of Construction of the Project, and the true interest cost of the interest on the Installment Payments shall not exceed 1.75 percent per annum. All other terms of the Installment Sale Agreement shall remain the same.

Section 3. The Authorized Officers are hereby authorized and directed, jointly and severally, to do any and all things which they may deem necessary or advisable in order to consummate the transactions herein authorized and otherwise to carry out the Project and give effect to and comply with the terms and intent of this Ordinance. All actions heretofore taken by the officers, employees, and agents of the City with respect to the transactions set forth above are hereby approved, confirmed, and ratified.

RESOLUTION NO.

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA BARBARA AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 25-066,
ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, TO

APPROPRIATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE

CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN FOR

THE BRAEMAR LIFT STATION REHABILITATION
PROJECT.

WHEREAS, in accordance with the City Charter, the City Administrator filed with the Council a proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025; WHEREAS, the City Council is required to adopt a budget before the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2025;
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. 25-066, 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 in accordance with the provisions of Section 1205 of the City Charter, the budget for the Fiscal Year 2026, as adopted by Resolution No. 25-066, is hereby amended as follows:

SECTION 1. The Council accepts the amended Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan proceeds for the new amount of $9,851,381 for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project.

SECTION 2. The Council approves an increase in revenue and expenditure appropriations in the Wastewater CWSRF Loan Fund budget in Fiscal Year 2026 in the amount of $500,000, funded by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan amendment proceeds, for the Braemar Lift Station Rehabilitation Project.

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: City Administrator’s Office
SUBJECT: Change of Status of Sister Cities Relationship with Cusco, Peru [Resolution]
RECOMMENDATION:

That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Providing for the Re-establishment of a Sister City Relationship with the City of Cusco, Peru.

DISCUSSION:

On May 8, 1961, the Santa Barbara City Council approved the City of Cuzco, Peru as a City of Santa Barbara Sister City. On July 22, 2003, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 03- 074, dissolving the Sister City affiliation with Cusco due to years of inactivity.

Recently the Santa Barbara Sister Cities Board became aware of the “emeritus” designation preferred by Sister Cities International (SCI) as the status for dormant or inactive sister cities.

Emeritus status is a distinction that is agreed upon by the involved cities, allowing inactive sister cities to continue honoring their relationship while dormant. Emeritus sister cities may return to an active relationship at any time upon mutual consent of the involved Sister Cities boards, without the need for a new application or approval by City Council.

During a 2024 Sister Cities trip to Miraflores, Peru by Mayor Rowse and a Santa Barbara Sister Cities delegation, the Mayor of Cusco, Peru praised the Santa Barbara-Cusco Sister City ties, notwithstanding the dormancy or prior dissolution of that relationship. On May 14, 2025, the Santa Barbara Sister Cities Board, having learned of SCI’s emeritus classification, formed an Emeritus Status Committee. At the Board meeting on July 2, 2025, the Committee recommended “emeritus” status for the City of Cusco. However, before the Board can proceed with the designation, City Council must first reinstate the dissolved Santa BarbaraCusco Sister City relationship.

Agenda Item No. 6
Council Agenda Report
Change of Status of Sister Cities Relationship with Cusco, Peru [Resolution] February 3, 2026

The Santa Barbara Sister Cities Board recommends that Council reinstate the Santa Barbara-Cusco Sister City relationship via resolution so the Board can thereafter assign the City of Cusco, Peru with emeritus status, thereby identifying it as an inactive Santa Barbara Sister City.

PREPARED AND
SUBMITTED BY: Holly Perea, Administrative Assistant to Mayor and Council Margaret Saavedra, Santa Barbara Sister Cities Board Chair APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
RESOLUTION NO.

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA BARBARA PROVIDING FOR THE REESTABLISHMENT OF A SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP

WITH THE CITY OF CUSCO, PERU
WHEREAS, the Sister City People-to-People Citizen Diplomat Program, hereinafter Sister Cities Program, promotes international friendship and peaceful exchanges between citizens of different countries; and
WHEREAS, on May 8, 1961, the City of Sana Barbara and the City of Cusco, Peru officially became Sister Cities by a vote of the Santa Barbara City Council; and WHEREAS, on July 22, 2003, the Santa Barbara City Council adopted Resolution No. 03- 074, thereby formally dissolving the Santa Barbara-Cusco Sister City relationship at the recommendation of the Sister Cities Board due to years of inactivity; and WHEREAS, the current 2026 Sister Cities Board has requested reinstatement for the City of Cusco, Peru for the purpose of recognizing the relationship as dormant rather than dissolved, through the Sister City International “emeritus” designation; and WHEREAS, the emeritus designation requires formal reinstatement of the Sister City relationship prior to such designation being granted; and WHEREAS, both the City of Santa Barbara and the City of Cusco desire to honor their historic relationship through recognition as an emeritus Sister City relationship, without resuming an active Sister City program;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA that official approval is hereby granted to reinstate the Sister City relationship between the City of Santa Barbara, California, and the City of Cusco, Peru, for the limited purpose of pursuing designation as an emeritus Sister City relationship.

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Waterfront Department
SUBJECT: Authorizing Waterfront Director to Declare Unseaworthy or Dilapidated Vessels as Abandoned Property Pursuant to Harbors and Navigation Code Section 522 [Resolution]
RECOMMENDATION:

That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Authorizing the Waterfront Director to Remove, Store, and Dispose of Abandoned Vessels in Accordance with California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 522, and Approving Standardized Procedures for Notice and Disposal, Without Requiring Separate City Council Action for Each Individual Vessel.

DISCUSSION:

California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 522 authorizes cities with jurisdiction over navigable waters or waterfront property to remove and dispose of abandoned vessels, subject to specified notice and due-process requirements. The statute does not require the City Council to approve the disposal of each abandoned vessel on a case-by-case basis. Rather, it permits the City Council to establish a programmatic authorization and delegate implementation to staff. Adopting a standing authorization will improve efficiency, reduce public safety and environmental risks, and ensure timely compliance with state law, while preserving appropriate oversight and procedural safeguards.

Managing these abandoned and dilapidated vessels has long been a challenge in Santa Barbara City waters. Typically, abandoned vessels are held by the Waterfront Department for 30 days while staff attempts to contact the owner and have them come and claim their property. If the owner of record is unresponsive and a DMV search returns no lien on the property, the City holds a lien sale per California State Harbors and Navigation Code and may dispose of the vessel if it is not sold. If the owner of record is unresponsive but one or more liens exist on the vessel, the property may be disposed of with authorization from a legislative body.

Agenda Item No. 7
Council Agenda Report
Authorizing Waterfront Director to Declare Unseaworthy or Dilapidated Vessels as Abandoned Property Pursuant to Harbors and Navigation Code Section 522 [Resolution] February 3, 2026

Abandoned and derelict vessels pose ongoing concerns for public safety, navigation, environmental protection, and harbor operations. These vessels may obstruct waterways, create hazards to other users, and contribute to pollution or degradation of public trust lands.

Section 522 authorizes local agencies to dispose of abandoned vessels after compliance with statutory notice and waiting periods. Nothing in the statute requires the City Council to adopt a separate resolution for each individual vessel. Instead, the statute contemplates that the legislative body may authorize the enforcement program generally, with day-to-day implementation handled administratively. This approach is consistent with well-established principles of legislative delegation, under which a governing body sets policy and standards, while staff carries out ministerial and enforcement actions within those standards. The determination that a vessel meets the statutory definition of “abandoned,” following required notice, is an administrative function rather than a discretionary legislative act.

The Waterfront Department seeks adoption of a Council resolution authorizing the Waterfront Director to declare any unseaworthy or dilapidated vessel that has been left unattended for more than 30 days to be abandoned property, consistent with Harbors and Navigation Code Section 522. Upon such a declaration, the vessel may be removed and disposed of in accordance with state law, regardless of lien status.

If a vessel meeting these criteria is declared and posted as abandoned, the owner of record may submit a written appeal to the Waterfront Director. Any appeal must be filed within ten (10) days of the date the vessel is declared abandoned. The Waterfront Director’s determination on the appeal shall be final.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Providing staff with clear authority to dispose of abandoned vessels may reduce long-term costs associated with storage, emergency response, and environmental remediation.

Costs incurred may be offset, where permitted by law, through recovery from vessel owners or through proceeds from disposal. Long term storage of abandoned vessels takes up valuable public space in the harbor, which the Waterfront Department could use to generate revenue from visiting vessels. Disposal costs for the abandoned boats will be partially offset by freeing up slip space for visitor use. The timely removal of dilapidated abandoned vessels will generate additional visiting vessel revenue once those spaces become available.

PREPARED BY: Nathan Alldredge, Harbor Operations Manager SUBMITTED BY: Mike Wiltshire, Waterfront Director
APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
RESOLUTION NO. _________

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

SANTA BARBARA AUTHORIZING THE

WATERFRONT DIRECTOR TO REMOVE, STORE,

AND DISPOSE OF ABANDONED VESSELS IN

ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA HARBORS AND
NABIGATION CODE SECTION 522, AND

APPROVING STANDARDIZED PROCEDURES FOR

NOTICE AND DISPOSAL, WITHOUT REQUIRING

SEPARATE CITY COUNCIL ACTION FOR EACH
INDIVIDUAL VESSEL.

WHEREAS, California Harbors and Navigation Code section 522 authorizes cities with jurisdiction over navigable waters or waterfront property to remove, store, and dispose of abandoned vessels, subject to specified notice and procedural requirements; and WHEREAS, Unseaworthy, dilapidated, and abandoned vessels pose risks to public safety, navigation, harbor operations, and the environment, and may result in increased costs to the City if not addressed in a timely manner; and WHEREAS, Harbors and Navigation Code section 522 does not require a separate legislative action for each individual abandoned vessel, and permits a city council to authorize administrative enforcement and disposal procedures consistent with state law; and
WHEREAS, The City Council desires to establish a clear, efficient, and legally compliant process for identifying, declaring, and disposing of abandoned vessels, while preserving appropriate notice and appeal protections for vessel owners.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA AS FOLLOWS:
1) The City Council hereby authorizes the Waterfront Director, or designee, to determine when a vessel located within the City’s jurisdiction is unseaworthy or dilapidated and has been left unattended for a period exceeding thirty (30) days, and to declare such vessel abandoned property in accordance with California Harbors and Navigation Code section 522.
2) Upon compliance with all notice, posting, and procedural requirements set forth in Harbors and Navigation Code section 522, the Waterfront Director is authorized to remove, store, and dispose of any vessel declared abandoned pursuant to this Resolution, including disposal notwithstanding any lien interest, as permitted by state law.
3) If a vessel is declared and posted as abandoned, the owner of record may file a written appeal with the Waterfront Director. Any such appeal must be submitted in writing within ten (10) calendar days of the date the vessel is declared abandoned. The Waterfront Director shall review the appeal and issue a written determination. The Waterfront Director’s decision on the appeal shall be final. 4) The authority granted by this Resolution is administrative and ministerial in nature and is intended to implement state law. Nothing in this Resolution limits the City Council’s authority to require Council approval in unusual or extraordinary circumstances, including but not limited to vessels of historical significance or disposals involving substantial costs.
5) This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Construction Contracts for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project [Resolution; Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION: That Council:

A. Award a contract to Leed Electric Inc., for their best value proposal of $1,255,468 for the construction of the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the contract and approve additional expenditures up to $125,547 that may result from contract change orders, for a total expenditure authority of $1,381,015; B. Authorize the Public Works Director to execute a City Professional Services contract with DCME, Inc. in the amount of $258,780 for construction management and inspection services for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project; and authorize $25,878 for potential extra services, for a total expenditure authority of $284,658; and C. Adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Amending Resolution No. 25-066, Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, to Appropriate $250,000 for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Public Works Department seeks Council approval for construction and professional services contracts for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project (Project), a vital upgrade to the City’s drinking water infrastructure.

The Sheffield Pump Station conveys treated water from the Cater Water Treatment Plant to the Sheffield Reservoir, which is the City’s largest reservoir and storage hub. The Project will replace aging electrical and control systems to improve reliability and reduce the risk of service disruptions. Following a Best Value procurement process, staff recommend awarding a $1,255,468 construction contract to Leed Electric Inc., with a ten Agenda Item No. 8
Draft Council Agenda Report
Construction Contracts for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project [Resolution; Agreement]
February 3, 2026

percent contingency for a total expenditure authorization of $1,381,015. A separate City Professional Services contract for $284,658 with DCME, Inc. is recommended for construction management and inspection services. Total project costs are estimated at approximately $2.2 million, funded through the Water Capital Fund, supplemented by Water Capital Fund reserves.

DISCUSSION:

Project Description
The Project will replace onsite aging water electrical and control equipment at the Sheffield Pump Station (Pump Station) located at 2375 Foothill Road, which is critical to the City’s drinking water system. The Pump Station lifts and moves treated water from the Cater Water Treatment Plant to Sheffield Reservoir, which serves a large portion of the City’s water service area. Proper maintenance and timely replacement of City water infrastructure is essential to prevent expensive emergency repairs and unplanned water shutdowns. Construction is anticipated to take eighteen months due to the long procurement times for large electrical equipment, with onsite construction taking place in 2027.

Construction Contract
In October 2025, the City publicly advertised an opportunity for Best Value proposals from general contractors to construct the Project. On November 14, 2025, the City received four Best Value proposals:

1. Leed Electric Inc. (Leed)

2. Innovative Engineering Systems Inc., Doing Business As (DBA) Agilitech

3. Isaac Electric Inc.

4. Vellutini Corporation, DBA Royal Electric Co.

The proposals were evaluated using a Best Value selection process that included total bid cost and predetermined selection criteria as factors in determining the successful contractor. The proposals were reviewed independently by a panel and scored relative to the selection criteria laid out in the bid document, shown below for reference.

Draft Council Agenda Report
Construction Contracts for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project [Resolution; Agreement]
February 3, 2026

Selection Criteria Maximum Points
Financial Condition 50
Relevant Experience 350
Contract Schedule 100
Demonstrated Management Competency 200
Labor Compliance 100
Safety 100
Interviews (not performed – maximum score given) 100
Total Possible Qualification Points 1,000
Best Value Total Points ÷
Total Bid Cost
The review panel’s scores were averaged for a Qualification Points total. The Best Value calculation was derived by dividing the total proposal cost by the average of Qualification Points received. The lowest calculated number equals the Best Value. Leed’s proposal produced the overall Best Value.

Staff recommend that Council authorize the Public Works Director to execute a contract with Leed in the amount of $1,255,468 for construction of the Project and authorize up to $125,547 for potential additional expenditures that may result from contract change orders, for a total expenditure authority of $1,381,015.

Construction Phase Contract Services
Staff recommend that Council authorize a City Professional Services contract with DCME, Inc. (DCME) in the amount of $258,780 for construction management and inspection services, and authorize $25,878 for potential extra services, for a total expenditure authority of $284,658. The recommended contract will augment staff resources with a construction management consultant team. DCME was selected as part of a Request for Qualifications process that included multiple qualified firms in spring of 2025. Selected consultants were added to a pre-qualified list. DCME was selected from the pre-qualified list to support this Project.

DCME will be responsible for coordinating and administering the construction effort with the contractor. DCME will also perform daily inspections, facilitate scheduling water operations support, and coordinate required electrical commissioning and safety testing, as well as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) programming and integration of the remotely controlled and remote monitoring facilities.

Draft Council Agenda Report
Construction Contracts for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project [Resolution; Agreement]
February 3, 2026

Community Outreach
The Pump Station is located at 2375 Foothill Road next to the Santa Barbara Swim and Tennis Club. Ongoing coordination for equipment deliveries and contractor access will continue to be coordinated with the Swim and Tennis Club.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

The following summarizes all design, construction, and other Project costs:

ESTIMATED TOTAL PROJECT COST
Electrical Design (Beacon West Energy Group LLC) $75,927 Instrumentation and Controls Design (Northern Digital Inc.) $39,985 Design Project Management (City Staff) $115,000
Design Subtotal $230,912
Construction Contract with 10% Change Order Allowance
(Leed)
$1,381,015
Construction Management & Inspection Contract with Extra Services Allowance (DCME)
$284,658
Construction Administration (City Staff) $150,000
Design Services During Construction (Beacon West Energy Group LLC)
$68,090
Programming and Integration (Northern Digital Inc.) $110,160 Construction Subtotal $1,993,923
TOTAL PROJECT COST $2,224,835
The Project is primarily funded by adequate expenditure appropriations in the Water Capital Fund budget in Fiscal Year 2026; however, due to construction bids coming in higher than estimated, Water Capital Fund reserves are needed to cover the Project’s construction phase costs. The Water Capital Fund has sufficient reserves to cover the recommended additional appropriation of $250,000 to fund the Project’s construction.

A copy of the contracts may be requested from the Public Works Department for public review by contacting [email protected].

Draft Council Agenda Report
Construction Contracts for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project [Resolution; Agreement]
February 3, 2026

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental review was conducted for this Project, and the Project qualified for a categorical exemption under Section 15301 (b) and (d) Existing Facilities and Section 15302 (c) Replacement or Reconstruction exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines. A Notice of Exemption (NOE) was prepared and filed with the County Clerk of the Board on May 16, 2024, and posted to the State Clearinghouse (SCH) on May 20, 2024, SCH Number 2024050897.

WATER COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:

This item was presented to the Water Commission at its meeting on December 18, 2025, and the Commission voted 4:0:1 in support of staff’s recommendation.

PREPARED BY: Ashleigh A. Sizoo, P.E., City Engineer/CW/VF/nv SUBMITTED BY: Brian D’Amour, P.E., Public Works Director APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
RESOLUTION NO. _____

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA BARBARA AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 25-066,
ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, TO
APPROPRIATE $250,000 FOR THE SHEFFIELD PUMP

STATION ELECTRICAL, INSTRUMENTATION, AND
CONTROLS REPLACEMENT PROJECT.

WHEREAS, in accordance with the City Charter, the City Administrator filed with the Council a proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025; WHEREAS, the City Council is required to adopt a budget before the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2025;
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. 25-066, 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 in accordance with the provisions of Section 1205 of the City Charter, the budget for the Fiscal Year 2026, as adopted by Resolution No. 25-066, is hereby amended as follows:

The Council approves an increase in revenue and expenditure appropriations in the Water Capital Fund in the amount of $250,000, funded by Water Capital Fund reserves, for the Sheffield Pump Station Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Replacement Project.

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Construction Contracts for the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project [Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION: That Council:

A. Award a contract to Tierra Contracting Inc., for their best value proposal of $4,398,445 for construction of the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the contract and approve additional expenditures up to $439,845 that may result from contract change orders, for a total expenditure authority of $4,838,290; and B. Authorize the Public Works Director to execute a City Professional Services contract with Water Systems Consulting Inc., in the amount of $445,966 for construction support services for the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project and authorize $44,597 for potential extra services, for a total expenditure authority of $490,563.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Public Works Department recommends awarding a $4.4 million construction contract to Tierra Contracting Inc. (Tierra) for the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project (Project), with a 10 percent contingency, for a total expenditure authority of $4.84 million. A separate $490,563 City Professional Services contract with Water Systems Consulting Inc. (WSC) is recommended for construction management and inspection services.

The Project replaces the 1959 wastewater forcemain, improves lift station reliability, and relocates the pipeline into the Public Right of Way (PROW). Work includes installing two new forcemains via horizontal directional drilling and replacing 0.15 miles of gravity sewer mains. Construction is planned for the summer of 2026. Tierra was selected through a Best Value evaluation process. WSC will support inspection, traffic control oversight, and customer outreach. The total Project cost is estimated at $5.99 million.

Agenda Item No. 9
Council Agenda Report
Construction Contracts for the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project [Agreement]
February 3, 2026

DISCUSSION:

Background
The Via Lucero Wastewater Lift Station (Lift Station) is located at 3959 Via Lucero in the City’s Hope neighborhood (see Attachment). The Lift Station was constructed in 1959 and pumps approximately 180,000 gallons per day from 250 properties comprised of single family, multi-family, and commercial properties. The Project was recommended in the City’s 2017 State Street Sewer Analysis as an option to relieve some of the burden along the west segment of the Upper State Street sewer system. The Project will also improve the Lift Station’s functionality, improve operational flexibility, and replace and relocate the existing Lift Station sewer pipeline, which is a pressurized forcemain, from an easement to the PROW.

Project Description
The Project will construct two new wastewater forcemains (one active and one standby) along Via Lucero to North Hope Avenue and State Street. This allows one forcemain to be in service while the other is out of service for repairs and maintenance or available as a backup, which is a best practice for modern forcemains. The new forcemains will be made of 8-inch High-Density Polyethylene and approximately 0.5 mile in length. The forcemains will be installed using a trenchless horizontal directional drilling method, which bores and installs the pipelines below the street in lieu of excavating a 0.5 mile trench.

The new forcemains will be connected to the City’s existing Lift Station via a new vault and metering structure installed within the sidewalk at 3959 Via Lucero.

The Project also replaces 0.15 miles of gravity wastewater mains east of the new forcemains along 3800-3900 Via Lucero, 0-100 North Hope Avenue, and 3780-3800 State Street. The gravity sewers will be replaced via excavations and trenches along the existing sewer alignment. The City is committed to implementing safe traffic control and proactive community outreach through the construction phase. Overall, this Project ensures that the City has reliable and adequate capacity to convey expected dry and wet weather sewer flows through the year 2050. Construction is anticipated from April through October 2026.

Construction Contract
In September 2025, the City publicly advertised an opportunity to submit Best Value proposals from general contractors to construct the Project. On October 23, 2025, the City received two Best Value proposals:

1. Tierra Contracting Inc., (Tierra)

2. Cedro Construction Inc.

The proposals were evaluated using a Best Value selection process that included total bid cost and predetermined selection criteria as factors in determining the successful Council Agenda Report
Construction Contracts for the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project [Agreement]
February 3, 2026

contractor. The proposals were reviewed independently by a panel and scored relative to the selection criteria laid out in the bid document, shown below for reference.

Selection Criteria Maximum Points
Financial Condition 50
Relevant Experience 350
Contract Schedule 100
Demonstrated Management Competency 200
Labor Compliance 100
Safety 100
Interviews (not performed – maximum score given) 100
Total Possible Qualification Points 1,000
Best Value Total Points ÷
Total Proposal Cost
The review panel’s scores were averaged for a Qualification Points total. The Best Value calculation was derived by dividing the proposed total cost by the average of Qualification Points received. The lowest calculated number equals the Best Value. Tierra’s proposal produced the overall Best Value. After selection, and as allowed by the Best Value process, the City engaged in value engineering efforts with Tierra, reducing the total cost by 7.3 percent.

Staff recommend that Council authorize the Public Works Director to execute a contract with Tierra in the amount of $4,398,445 for construction of the Project and authorize up to $439,845 for potential additional expenditures that may result from contract change orders, for a total expenditure authority of $4,838,290.

Construction Phase Management Services
Staff recommend that Council authorize the Public Works Director to execute a contract with WSC in the amount of $445,966 for construction support services, and authorize $44,597 for potential extra services, for a total expenditure authority of $490,563. The recommended contract will augment staff resources with a construction management consultant team. WSC was selected as part of a Request for Qualifications process that included multiple qualified firms. Selected consultants were added to a pre-qualified list.

WSC was selected from the pre-qualified list to support this Project.

WSC will be responsible for coordinating and administering the construction effort with the contractor, performing daily inspections, material testing, and facilitating the scheduling of wastewater operations support and electrical testing.

Community Outreach
Due to the busy Upper State Street project area and density of multi-family residences, sewer bypassing is required to maintain continuous customer sewer service. WSC will Council Agenda Report
Construction Contracts for the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project [Agreement]
February 3, 2026

assist the City in performing proactive customer outreach to the adjacent impacted businesses and residences both before and during construction. WSC will also be monitoring all traffic control and pedestrian safety through the Project. Anticipated outreach activities include direct phone calls to affected businesses, door hangers, postcards, and face-to-face communication with affected multi-family residences.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

The following summarizes all Project design, construction, and other Project costs:

ESTIMATED TOTAL PROJECT COST
Design Services (Dudek) $344,751
Design Project Management (by City staff) $85,000
Design Subtotal $429,751
Construction Contract with 10% Change Order Allowance (Tierra) $4,838,290 Construction Management & Inspection Contract with Extra Services Allowance (WSC)
$490,563
Construction Administration (by City staff) $155,569
Design Services During Construction (Dudek) $78,848
Construction Subtotal $5,563,270
TOTAL PROJECT COST $5,993,021
There are sufficient expenditure appropriations in the Fiscal Year 2026 Wastewater Capital Fund to cover the Project’s construction phase costs.

A copy of the contracts may be requested from the Public Works Department for public review by contacting [email protected].

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:

Under Santa Barbara Municipal Code Section 22.100.070 and Section 22.100.080, the Public Works Director has determined that the Project is exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section (15301 (b) and 15302 (c)). The proposed Project is limited to the replacement and relocation of existing wastewater facilities. The Project meets Section 15301 (b) Existing Facilities Categorical Exemption and Section 15302 (c) Categorical Exemption per CEQA, an Notice of Exemption (NOE) because the Project consists of the replacement and relocation of existing sewer mains within the PROW. A Notice of Exemption was prepared and submitted to the County Clerk on January 9, 2024, and the State Clearinghouse (SCH) on January 10, 2024, SCH No. 2024010208.

Council Agenda Report
Construction Contracts for the Via Lucero Wastewater Forcemain Replacement Project [Agreement]
February 3, 2026

WATER COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:

This item was presented to the Water Commission at its meeting on December 18, 2025, and the Commission voted 4:0:1 in support of staff’s recommendation.

ATTACHMENT: Project Location Map
PREPARED BY: Ashleigh A. Sizoo, P.E., City Engineer/CW/KB/nv SUBMITTED BY: Brian D’Amour, P.E., Public Works Director APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
Project Location Map
Via Lucero Wastewater Lift Station: 3959 Via Lucero
Via Lucero Forcemain Replacement: Via Lucero, N Hope Avenue, State Street Lift Station
Forcemain
Replacement
alignment

ATTACHMENT

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Water Resources Department
SUBJECT: Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report RECOMMENDATION: That Council:

A. Approve and adopt the City of Santa Barbara Water Supply Management Report for the 2025 Water Year, finding that the groundwater basins are not in overdraft condition in accordance with the conjunctive management element of the City’s Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan; and
B. Receive an update on the Three-Year Water Supply Strategy.

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) 2025 and includes an analysis determining that the City’s available water supplies are sufficient to meet demands for at least the next three years, even under drought conditions. The winter 2024/2025 storms sustained the City’s water supply and there is not a projected supply shortage for at least the next three years. Prudent management of and investment in the City’s diverse water supply portfolio, including the production of desalinated water and efficient use of our water resources by the community, has resulted in a secure water future for the City. This report also provides a summary of the 2025 Annual Water Supply Management Report (WSMR), which summarizes water supplies and issues for WY 2025 (October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025). The report fulfills a mitigation requirement for the Coastal Branch of the State Water Project (SWP) to show compliance with the City’s water management plan, provide reasonable estimates of total supplies available, report on groundwater basin water conditions, and describe expected water use for the next water year1. The City's Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan (EUWMP) was adopted by Council on June 29, 2021, and details the City’s water supply strategy for the next 30 years.
1 Resolution of the Central Coast Water Authority Approving Settlement Agreement and Adopting Condition, Central Coast Water Authority Resolution No. 92-11, (1992).

Agenda Item No. 10
Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 3, 2026

DISCUSSION:

WY 2025 began on October 1, 2024. At the start of each WY, staff updates the City’s water supply planning charts to reflect actual water used during the previous WY (WY 2025) and to extend the three-year water supply strategy by one additional year; thereby, extending the current supply and management strategy through WY 2028. 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 through at least WY 2028 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 incorporates water demands from the City’s EUWMP adopted in June 2021. The EUWMP demand projections include a permanent reduction of 2,500 acre-foot per year (AFY) in water use by the City’s water customers in response to the last drought from 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.

Annual Water Supply Management Report
The current WSMR summarizes activities of the past WY (October 2024 through September 2025). The WSMR fulfills a mitigation requirement of the Coastal Branch of the SWP to show compliance with the City’s water management plan, provide reasonable estimates of total supplies available, report on groundwater basin conditions, and describe expected water use for the next WY. The WSMR also informs Council and the community of recent activities and current water supply conditions. Staff recommend Council to review and approve the WSMR for WY 2025, finding that the groundwater basins are not in overdraft condition in accordance with the conjunctive management element of the City’s Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan. Summarized below are key issues in the WSMR for each City water source.

Lake Cachuma
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) determines the Cachuma Member Unit’s allocation for each water year. The Cachuma Member Units were granted a 100 percent Cachuma allocation by Reclamation for WY 2025; the City’s allocation is 8,277 acre-feet (AF). Lake Cachuma did not spill in winter 2024/2025 and Cachuma storage was at 78 percent capacity (149,845 AF) at the end of WY 2025. Lake Cachuma supplied about 26 percent (3,117 AF) of WY 2025 total demand for the City. Reclamation granted a 100 percent allocation again for WY 2026 for all Cachuma Member Units, and Cachuma is projected to supply 66 percent of the City’s WY 2026 demand. Three significant storms in mid-November, the end of December, and the first few days of January, resulted in Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 3, 2026

nearly 40 inches of rainfall in parts of the Santa Ynez watershed that feed local reservoirs.

As a result, Lake Cachuma started spilling December 31st, positioning the City with ample local surface water supplies for at least the next three years. Since it is spilling, Cachuma is currently in “Surplus Water Conditions,” which means that any water the City uses from the Lake is not counted against our current year allocation.

Gibraltar Reservoir
Gibraltar Reservoir (Gibraltar) did not spill in winter 2024/2025. At the end of WY 2025, Gibraltar was 21 percent full, with approximately 982 AF of stored water remaining.

Gibraltar was an important supply for the City during WY 2025, supplying approximately 38 percent (4,517 AF) of the total WY 2025 demand. For conservative supply planning purposes, it was assumed there would be no inflows (no supply available) to Gibraltar in WY 2026. However, as of January 5, 2026, rainfall at Gibraltar is at 115 percent of total average rainfall for the WY, and Gibraltar began spilling on December 24, 2025, making it an important water source for the City in WY 2026.

Mission Tunnel
Groundwater seeping into Mission Tunnel is an important part of the City’s water supply.

Mission Tunnel infiltration supplied approximately 10 percent (1,177 AF) of the total WY 2025 demand. Lower flows of 75 AF per month are conservatively expected for WY 2026.

Groundwater
The City relies on two groundwater basins for water supply, the Foothill Basin and the Santa Barbara Basin, which contains Storage Unit 1 (SU1). As outlined in the EUWMP, the City uses groundwater basins conjunctively with surface water supplies. Increased groundwater 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. The City has primarily rested its groundwater basins since WY 2018 and has relied on surface water supplies, desalinated water, and water conservation. This management strategy has allowed the groundwater basins to nearly recover to pre-drought conditions.. The City did not use groundwater in WY 2025 and does not plan to use it in WY 2026.

The EUWMP included a recommendation that the City should work with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to update the City’s sustainable groundwater yield estimates.

The City contracted with USGS from 2022 - 2025 to better define sustainable yield and drought storage for the City. USGS updated their groundwater model2 for each basin and found that the City’s total sustainable yield for Foothill basin is 272 AF per year3 and the 2 Stanko, Z.P., and Jachens, E.R., 2025, Santa Barbara Post-Optimization Scenarios: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P14SVJUP
3 The City shares Foothill basin with La Cumbre Mutal Water Company, which can pump up to 300 AF per year. Per City Agreement No 16,838 Ordinance No. 4800, 1993, Water Conveyance Agreement (State Water Project Water) City of Santa Barbara – La Cumbre Mutual Water Co.

Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 3, 2026

sustainable yield for SU1 is 700 AF per year. Staff is evaluating how to incorporate the results of the study to sustainably utilize groundwater as part of a long-term water supply management strategy now that the basins are nearly recovered.

As a condition of participating in the SWP, the City is required to utilize SWP water to offset any demonstrated groundwater basin overdraft before using SWP for other purposes. The City works with USGS to monitor water levels and water quality of the groundwater basins. Current water levels for Foothill Basin are nearly recovered and close to 2011 (pre-drought) levels. Groundwater elevation levels recover quickly in SU1, and the groundwater management concern in SU1 is sea water intrusion. The closest groundwater monitoring well to the ocean is showing a decreasing trend in chloride level concentrations and is currently at 2015 (early drought) levels. In 2018, USGS modeled SU1 and Foothill Basins using a 10-year drought period to find the maximum drought yield4. Drought yield is an important management tool for the City, since it represents the maximum groundwater that could be pumped from the basin in case of a long-term drought. The total 10-year City Groundwater production is less than both the drought yield and less than the sustainable yield for each basin. SU1 and Foothill Basin are not in overdraft condition. The City does not plan to pump any groundwater for WY 2026, and there is no overdraft projected for the next year.

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 is operated under a contract with IDE Americas. The Plant supplied 17 percent (1,947 AF) of the total WY 2025 demand and is projected to supply a similar percent for WY 2026.

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 and rest the groundwater basins to allow them to recover after heavy pumping during the last drought. Ahead of the recent rains, water supply staff had planned to use mostly water from Lake Cachuma, desalination, and recycled water to meet the City’s demands over the next three years. Now, with full and spilling reservoirs, the water supply strategy is shifting to utilize available spill water from Lake Cachuma, Gibraltar reservoir, and Devil’s Canyon Creek in WY 2026. This shift in strategy allows us to temporarily idle the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant to reduce costs and allow for the performance of much needed maintenance.

State Water Project
4 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 Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 3, 2026

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 City’s SWP allocation for 2025 was 50 percent of the 3,300 AF maximum Table A amount, or 1,650 AF. In WY 2025, the City used zero AF of its SWP water and does not plan to use any SWP water in WY 2026.

The City exchanged 491 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. As of October 1, 2025, the City has approximately 2,733 AF of SWP water stored in San Luis Reservoir. Additionally, 25 percent of the City’s WY 2025 allocation will be converted to carryover water in January 2026. A 25 percent allocation of 825 AF is conservatively estimated for WY 2026.

Recycled Water
In 2025, the City supplied recycled water customers with 764 AF of recycled water, marking a continued significant reduction in potable water use. 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. In response to recent above average rainfall, Water Resources staff plans to idle the Recycled Water Treatment Plant while Lake Cachuma is in Surplus Water Conditions, allowing for opportunities to perform maintenance on the plant and cost savings associated with water treatment.

Water Conservation
In accordance with the 2020 EUWMP, the City’s Water Conservation Program is operated to increase water supply reliably within Santa Barbara by minimizing the use of potable water supplies, implement the best management practices of Reclamation, and achieve compliance with State-mandated water conservation regulations. 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. State Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668, 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 July 3, 2024, and sets Citywide water use objectives 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. City water customers have truly water conservation, exceeding the mandated 2025 Framework water use budget by 25 percent.

Supply Summary
The City used 9,066 AF of potable water to meet City customer demands in WY 2025, with 87 gallons used per person per day. In addition, the City produced 1,020 AF of Council Agenda Report
Water Supply Update and Annual Water Supply Management Report February 3, 2026

recycled water (including 256 AF of processed water used at El Estero Water Resource Center) and sold 1,380 AF per the water sales agreement between the City and Montecito Water District. The community continues to use its water resources efficiently, with the total demand for water in 2025 comparable to demands in the late 1950s.

For WY 2026 the water supply strategy is to utilize available surplus spill water from Lake Cachuma, Gibraltar reservoir, and Devil’s Canyon Creek. The City’s ample available water supplies are sufficient to meet demands for at least the next three years, even if drought conditions return in future winters.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

This action has no financial/budget impact on the City.

SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:

A diverse and reliable water supply is essential for sustaining the City. Groundwater resources are not in overdraft condition in accordance with the conjunctive management element of the City’s 2020 EUWMP.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:

The City’s Water Supply Update and Annual WSMR does 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 Section 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. All future Projects resulting in a direct or indirect change to the environment identified in the Report will require CEQA review.

WATER COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:

This item was presented to the Water Commission at its meeting on December 18, 2025, and the Commission voted 4:0:1 in support of staff’s recommendation.

ATTACHMENT: Draft Annual Water Supply Management Report for YW 2025 PREPARED BY: Dakota Corey, Water Supply & Services Manager/JS/sjc SUBMITTED BY: Joshua Haggmark, P.E., Water Resources Director APPROVED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
City of Santa Barbara
Water Supply Management Report
2024-2025 Water Year
Prepared by Water Supply & Services Division, Water Resources Department DRAFT December 18, 2025

ATTACHMENT
2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 2
City of Santa Barbara
Draft Water Supply Management Report
2025 Water Year (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025)
Water Supply & Services Division, Water Resources Department December 18, 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................3 Water Supplies................................................................................................................................4 Monitoring Water Supply and Demand............................................................................................7 Water Supply Outlook .....................................................................................................................9 City Water Conservation Program................................................................................................. 11 Capital Projects.............................................................................................................................12 Water Supply Issues .....................................................................................................................13 Groundwater Management............................................................................................................18 Current Groundwater Status ......................................................................................................... 20 Table of Figures
Figure 1. 10-Year Rainfall History at Gibraltar Reservoir................................................................. 4 Figure 2. 50-Year Gibraltar Rainfall by Water Year ......................................................................... 5 Figure 3. Summary table showing status and use of City water supplies for WY 2025.................... 6 Figure 4. Adaptive Management Plan .............................................................................................7 Figure 5. City Customer Water Demand from 1985 to 2025............................................................ 8 Figure 6. Water Use in Gallons Per Capita Per Day for Last Ten Years.......................................... 9 Figure 7. Water Supplies to Meet Demand for Water Years 2016-2028 ........................................ 10 Figure 8. Details of Projected Water Supplies for Water Years 2026-2028.................................... 11 Figure 9. Map of City Groundwater Basins.................................................................................... 19 Figure 10. Foothill Basin Groundwater Surface Elevations............................................................ 20 Figure 11. Chloride Concentrations at Groundwater Monitoring Well 23-F4.................................. 21 Figure 12. 10-year Drought Yield, Sustainable Yield and Actual City Groundwater Production ..... 22 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 3
City of Santa Barbara
Draft Water Supply Management Report
2025 Water Year (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025)
Water Supply & Services Division, Water Resources Department December 18, 2025
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. As a condition of participating in the Central Coast State Water Project Extension, the City is required to show compliance with the City’s water management plan, provide reasonable estimates of total supplies available, report on groundwater basin water conditions, and describe expected water use for the next water year1. The City's Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan (EUWMP) was adopted by City Council on June 29, 2021 and 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, 2025 • Water supply outlook
• Water conservation and demand
• Major capital projects that facilitate the City’s ability to provide reliable, safe drinking water
• Significant issues that affect the security and reliability of the City’s water supplies • Groundwater Management
• Current groundwater conditions
1 Resolution of the Central Coast Water Authority Approving Settlement Agreement and Adopting Condition, Central Coast Water Authority Resolution No. 92-11, (1992). 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 4
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. The City also considers water conservation an important tool for balancing water supply and demand.

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 1. 10-Year Rainfall History at Gibraltar Reservoir 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 2025, as measured at Gibraltar, was 51% of the 50-year rainfall average, with most of the rain falling in February and March. Runoff generated by average rainfall is generally enough to fill Gibraltar; however, it typically takes aboveaverage rainfall to produce any significant inflow to Cachuma. Neither Gibraltar nor Cachuma spilled in WY 2025.
2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 5
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 2025 as the region maintained adequate water supplies due to very wet winters in WYs 2023 and 2024. The City does not plan to participate in cloud seeding during fiscal year 2026 because enhanced rainfall could result in Cachuma spilling and the loss of Member Units’ stored carryover water.

Figure 3 below summarizes the supply status of each of the City’s water supply sources and shows the amount used to meet demands in WY 2025. The recycled water number shown includes 256 AF of process water at El Estero Water Resource Center (El Estero).

Additionally, the recycled system demands were supplemented with 11 AF of potable blend water.
2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 6
Figure 3. Summary table showing status and use of City water supplies for WY 2025.

Source of Supply Supply Status
(as of September 30, 2025)
WY 2025
Actual Production
Gibraltar Reservoir and Devil’s
Canyon Creek
Total Capacity:
4,490 AF
(September 2024 survey)
End of Year Storage:
982 AF
(21% of Total Capacity)
4,517 AF
38% of total water supply
Lake Cachuma2
Total Capacity:
192,978 AF
(2021 capacity revision
surcharged to 753 feet spill
elevation for fish release water)
End of Year Storage:
149,845 AF
(78% of total capacity)
3,117 AF
26% of total water supply
Mission Tunnel n/a 1,177 AF
10% of total water supply
State Water Project
Total Allocation for City:
3,300 AF “Table A”
WY 2025 Allocation:
50%, 1,650 AF
0 AF,
0% of total water supply
Desalination Total Plant Capacity:
3,125 AF
1,947 AF
17% of total water supply
Groundwater
Sustainable Yield (AFY):

Foothill Basin: 270
(City portion of basin)
Storage Unit 1: 700
0 AF,
0% of total water supply
Recycled Water n/a 1,020 AF,
9% of total water supply
Total Production 11,777
Net Other Supplies3 n/a -1,691
Total Production for City Use
(subtracts net other supplies and 256 AF of recycled process water) 9,830 2 Note that 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.
3 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).
2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 7
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 4) 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 2025 was 11,777 AF, which includes water produced to meet all water obligations, and most closely aligns with Phase 1. The City used 9,066 acre-feet (AF) of water for City customer demands in WY 2025, plus 764 AF of recycled water. In addition, the City sold 1,380 AF of water per the water sales agreement between the City and Montecito Water District, recharged 1 AF into the Foothill groundwater basin, and provided 299 AF of water to neighboring agencies 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 4. Adaptive Management Plan
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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 City customer demands on the potable and recycled distribution systems. Figure 5 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. Annual average production values are shown in green. Total water production for City customers was 9,838 AF for 2025 (excluding 1,691 AF for non-City customer demand and 256 AF of water produced for El Estero’s process demands).

Figure 5. City Customer Water Demand from 1985 to 2025
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 6. Figure 6 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 61 for WY 2025. 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 9
In both Figure 5 and Figure 6, demands show a decline beginning in 2015 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. Demands rose slightly in WY 2025, likely due to the lack of rainfall driving up customer irrigation demands.

Figure 6. Water Use in Gallons Per Capita Per Day for Last Ten Years Water Supply Outlook
WY 2025 included a below average wet winter with total rainfall at Gibraltar Reservoir of 42.7 inches, 46% percent of an average water year. The City’s local surface water supplies, Lake Cachuma and Gibraltar Reservoir, did not spill winter 2024/2025. Cachuma storage was at 78% of capacity (149,845 AF) at the end of WY 2025. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) determines the Member Unit’s allocation for the upcoming water year.

Reclamation granted a 100% allocation for WY 2026. Gibraltar Reservoir (including Devil’s Canyon Creek) supplied approximately 38%, or 4,517 AF, of the City’s water supply in WY 2025. Additionally, the City released a total of 227 AF in April and July to downstream users as per the Gin Chow Agreement. Gibraltar ended WY 2025 at 21% of capacity with 982 AF of storage.

Figure 7 shows the actual water supplies to meet demand over the past ten years (WY 2016 – WY 2025).
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Figure 7. Water Supplies to Meet Demand for Water Years 2016-2028 Figure 8 shows the detailed water supply strategy for the next three water years, WY 2026 through 2028. Updates to the City’s water supply planning strategy are conservative and assume drought conditions. Under the planning scenario, there is little to no rainfall assumed for three years, resulting in no inflows into Lake Cachuma. The City received a 100 percent allocation for WY 2026, a 100 percent Cachuma allocation is assumed for WY 2027, and an 80 percent allocation is assumed for WY 2028. At the end of WY 2025, Gibraltar reservoir was depleted to conduct necessary maintenance. It is assumed that the City will not use water from Gibraltar for WY 2026 so all inflows will go towards refilling the reservoir. At Mission Tunnel, 900 AF of infiltration is assumed for WY 2026 through WY 2028. The planning scenario also assumes that there are drought conditions statewide, which reduce the SWP water allocation to 25 percent in WY 2026 through WY 2028. The analysis assumes the desalination plant is operated continuously through WY 2028 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. 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 11
Figure 8. Details of Projected Water Supplies for Water Years 2026-2028 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 November 20, 2025, there were 17,997 accounts registered, 58 percent of total utility accounts.
• Leak Alerts and Customer Support: 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. By equipping customers with early leak detection and 24/7 access to water use information, staff has been able to transition to 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 12
a supportive role offering guidance over the phone and through email versus in-person appointments. In WY 2025 there were 23,695 automated leak alerts sent via email, mail, or text. In WY 2025 there were 2,590 phone calls and 2,295 email/WaterSmart messages with customers.
• Marketing and Outreach: Implementation of regional outreach through the Countywide Regional Water Efficiency Program. Highlights from WY 2025 include: the 2025 WaterWise Garden Contest, countywide advertising about landscape transformations and irrigation repairs, WaterSmart portal enrollment outreach, and new Garden Wise TV show episodes.
• Water Education Program: The City offers free in-class presentations, take-home water efficiency kits, and musical assemblies to highlight where the City’s water comes from and how to conserve it. 2,802 students participated in WY 2025. • Rebate Program Participation: There were 40 high efficiency washing machine rebates, 73 mulch delivery rebates, 13 irrigation efficiency rebates, 9 Sustainable Lawn Replacement rebates, and 28 Flume device rebates in WY 2025.

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 Conveyance Pipeline and repurposed existing transmission mains. The project is going through commissioning and startup and is expected to be completed at the end of 2025.

Piping modifications at Cater that are part of the Cater Reservoir Resiliency Project will also be needed as the final step to convey desalinated water into Cater’s finished water reservoir. The project will provide the ability to convey desalinated water City-wide and to other South Coast water agencies.
• Cater Reservoir Resiliency Project: This project will enhance water treatment at Cater Water Treatment Plant by adding a dedicated chlorine contact time (CT) basin to the process prior to the existing finished water clear well. This will allow operational flexibility to address seismic deficiencies within the clear well, ensure chlorine contact time for regulatory compliance, and add storage capacity and redundancy. The project includes installation of a 2.5 million gallon CT basin, modifications to the interior of the clear well, replacement of emergency generators, and a new biofiltration basin with associated stormwater piping. The project is currently completing the design phase and is anticipated to bid November 2025 and begin construction in spring 2026. • Desal Offshore Pump Platform Stabilization Project: The project is stabilizing the offshore, underwater intake structures that house the pumps that push seawater onshore for treatment at the desalination plant. The project will help prevent future erosion and potential damage under the structures, which will improve long-term reliability. The project is in the construction phase with construction expected to be completed by end of 2025.
• Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project: In August 2021 the State Water Resources Control Board approved pilot testing of the City’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project. The ASR project consists of injecting potable drinking water into the Foothill 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 13
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 water with no observed changes to groundwater quality at the well site or surrounding monitoring wells. Staff is seeking long-term injection permitting of the well, with injection capability of about 450 AF per year. The final permit amendment was submitted to the Regional Board in October 2025. Staff anticipates permit approval by the end of the calendar year.

Water Supply Issues
There are a number of significant issues related to the City’s water supplies, which are discussed 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 2025, both CCRB’s and COMB’s efforts continued to focus 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. Additionally, CCRB and COMB assisted Reclamation with its Value Planning Study, which Reclamation undertook to address the Term 24(a) requirement to study and evaluate potential options to provide steelhead passage around 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 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 14
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 NMFS’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 continues to assist Reclamation in responding to NMFS’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 District4, and Santa Ynez Water Conservation District Improvement District No. 1. The City and these districts are collectively known as the “Cachuma Member Units.” The SBCWA Act (Act), which created the SBCWA and specifies its powers, designates the County Board of Supervisors as the legislative body of the agency. The SBCWA’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 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 SBCWA “acting as agent of the Cachuma Member Units” in 1996 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 4 Summerland Water District was subsequently merged into the Montecito Water District. 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 15
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 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 2017 Thomas Fire resulted in additional storage capacity loss. A bathymetric survey conducted in September 2024 demonstrated a reduction of 229 AF of storage since November 2022.The current maximum storage volume of Gibraltar Reservoir is 4,489 AF.

In 1989, the City entered into the Upper Santa Ynez River Operations Agreement (the “Pass Through Agreement”) with other Santa 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 in 2008 and has been trying to negotiate a Warren Act Contract with Reclamation as the preferred approach for accounting for the City’s Pass Through water since that time. 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 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 16
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. 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 State’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. In October 2025, DWR 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 17
submitted a Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan to the Delta Stewardship Council for the Delta Conveyance Project, as required by the Delta Reform Act. By submitting the certification, DWR has evaluated the project against the Delta Plan’s regulatory policies and determined that it aligns with the Delta Plan’s requirements, and that the certification is supported by an administrative record that includes environmental permits, engineering memoranda, public comments, outreach materials, and other documentation.

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 San 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 did not originally hold the State Water Contract with DWR.

The State Water Contract with DWR was first executed in 1963 and was 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 also provided such authorization. CCWA also received written confirmation of DWR’s willingness to accept assignment of the contract to CCWA. However, the County Board of Supervisors did not take 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 2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 18
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. On September 25, 2025, Board members of CCWA voted unanimously to approve a settlement agreement, settling the lawsuit. Key terms of this historic agreement include:
o The County assigns the SWP Contract to CCWA making CCWA a SWP Contractor with DWR.
o CCWA and the Member Agencies dismiss litigation with prejudice. o CCWA pays the County $5.8 Million; the City’s share of this payment will be $445,260 spread out over 10 years.
o CCWA grants the County the option to reacquire up to 1,700 AFY of Suspended Table A water if CCWA pursues a project to reacquire any portion of the Suspended Table A water.
 “Suspended Table A water” is 12,214 AF of water that was included in the County’s original SWP contract with DWR (total allocation was 57,700 AF). In 1981, the County and DWR executed an amendment to the contract that reduced the County’s maximum annual Table A amount from 57,700 AFY to 45,486 AFY. In 1987, a settlement and compromise agreement between DWR and the County gave the County the right to reacquire all or a portion of the 12,214 AFY relinquished in 1981.

Groundwater Management
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: 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 9 depicts the groundwater basins and City groundwater wells.
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Figure 9. Map of City Groundwater Basins
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. The City’s groundwater basins are currently ranked by the State as “very low” priority and the City is not required to form a GSA or develop a groundwater management plan to comply with SGMA. However, the EUWMP made two recommendations regarding groundwater management in the City:

1. The City should work with the United States Geological Survey (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 SGMA compliance and reporting requirements.

The City contracted USGS from 2022-2025 to better define sustainable yield and drought storage for the City. USGS developed Excel dashboards5 for each basin that display modeled output based on the City’s management goals. The management goal for Foothill 5 Stanko, Z.P., and Jachens, E.R., 2025, Santa Barbara Post-Optimization Scenarios: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P14SVJUP
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basin is to utilize groundwater resources while not depleting the basin. The management goal for SU1 is to utilize groundwater resources without causing sea water intrusion. The City’s share of sustainable yield for Foothill basin was determined to be 272 acre-feet (AF) per year6 and the sustainable yield for SU1 basin in 700 AF per year. Per the EUWMP, the City conjunctively manages its groundwater, increasing groundwater pumping during periods of drought to replace diminished surface water sources and ceasing groundwater pumping when surface water sources are abundant. Staff is evaluating how to incorporate the results of the study update to sustainably utilize groundwater as part of a long term water supply management strategy.

Current Groundwater Status
As a condition of participating in the SWP, the City is required to utilize SWP water to offset any demonstrated groundwater basin overdraft before using SWP for other purposes. The City works with USGS to monitor water levels and water quality of the groundwater basins.

Current water levels for Foothill Basin are close to 2011 (pre-drought) levels, as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10. Foothill Basin Groundwater Surface Elevations 6 The City shares Foothill basin with La Cumbre Mutal Water Company, which can pump up to 300 AF per year. Per City Agreement No 16,838 Ordinance No. 4800, 1993, Water Conveyance Agreement (State Water Project Water) City of Santa Barbara – La Cumbre Mutual Water Co. 40 60
80 100
120
140
160
180
Water Surface Elevation (ft)
Foothill Basin: Groundwater Surface Elevations
#8E1 (San Roque)
#12H4 (Clinic)
#7R3 (Hitchcock)
#12R3 (San
Marcos Pass)
Monitoring Wells
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Pumped groundwater levels recover quickly in SU1. The primary groundwater management concern in SU1 is sea water intrusion. Groundwater monitoring wells are sampled for chloride (Cl) concentrations. Monitoring well 23-F4 is the closest groundwater monitoring well to the ocean and is showing a decreasing trend in Cl level concentrations, see Figure

11. Figure 11. Chloride Concentrations at Groundwater Monitoring Well 23-F4 In 2018, USGS modeled SU1 and Foothill Basins using a 10-year drought period to find the maximum drought yield7. Drought yield is an important management tool for the City, since it represents the maximum groundwater that could be pumped from the basin in case of a long-term drought. Figure 12 shows the 10-year drought yield (established by the 2018 USGS study), the 10-year sustainable pumping yield (established by the 2022 USGS study), and the 10-year actual pumping total for the City.
7 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
6/11/2025, 6,630
Local Ocean Chloride, 19,350 mg/L
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18,000
20,000
Chloride, filtered, mg/L
23-F4 Chloride Concentrations 1986-2025
2024-2025 Water Supply Management Report Page 22
Figure 12. 10-year Drought Yield, Sustainable Yield and Actual City Groundwater Production
Total 10-year City Groundwater production is less than both the drought yield and less than the sustainable yield for each basin. SU1 and Foothill groundwater basins are not in overdraft condition. The City does not plan to pump any groundwater for WY 2026, and there is no overdraft projected for the next year.
16,090
8,130
7,000
5,840
4,370
1,130
0 2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
Storage Unit 1 Basin Foothill Basin
10-Year Drought Storage, Sustainable Yield and
Actual Groundwater Production (AF)
10-Year Drought
Storage Yield
10-Year Sustainable
Groundwater Yield
10-Year Actual
Groundwater
Production
(WY 2016 – WY 2025)

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: City Administrator’s Office
SUBJECT: Resolution to Call a Special Election and Approve a Ballot Measure to Amend the City Charter to Modernize Charter Section 521 Relating to Contracts and Leases [Resolution]
RECOMMENDATION:

That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Approving and Calling for the Submission to the Voters of a City Council Proposed Measure to Amend City Charter Section 521 to Modernize Provisions Relating to City Contracts and Leases of City Property at a Special Municipal Election to be Held in the City on June 2, 2026, and Amending Resolution No. 25-066, Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, to Appropriate $195,000 of General Fund Reserves.

ALTERNATIVE:

That Council defer action on the proposed resolution and direct staff to prepare and return to Council at the appropriate time a resolution to submit to the voters a City Council proposed measure to amend City Charter Section 521 to modernize provisions relating to City contracts and leases of City property at the general municipal election to be held in November 2026.

DISCUSSION:

Santa Barbara City Charter Section 521 of the Charter of the City of Santa Barbara (City) limits leases of City property to a duration of 50 years. It also requires City Council approval by ordinance of contracts by which the city is bound for a duration longer than five years.

During its strategic workshop meeting on January 29, Council directed the City Attorney to prepare a Charter amendment modernizing Section 521 to authorize the City to take advantage of the full range of its home rule authority over the management of City contracts and property as a municipal affair, and to eliminate the prohibition on leases over 50 years.

Agenda Item No. 11 Agenda Item No. 1.

City Council Report
Resolution to Call a Special Election and Approve a Ballot Measure to Amend the City Charter to Modernize Charter Section 521 Relating to Contracts and Leases [Resolution] February 3, 2026

The proposed resolution accompanying this agenda report would place before the City’s voters at the June 2, 2026, statewide primary election, a proposal to amend Charter Section 521 to read as follows:

Section 521 Contracts. Restrictions.

No contract or lease by which the City is bound for a longer period than five years shall be valid unless the contract or lease is approved by ordinance or resolution of the City Council. Contracts for the sale, lease, or use of city property are a municipal affair subject only to the limitations as may be provided in this Charter or in the Constitution of the State of California. The City may lease property owned, held, or controlled by it for terms established by the City Council. This section shall not apply to any franchise granted pursuant to the provisions of this Charter or to any contract for the furnishing or acquisition of the products, commodities, or services of any public utility.

The proposed resolution provides the complete text of the amendment to Charter Section 521, with deletions of existing text shown in strikethrough and additions shown by underlining. The resolution also states the text of the proposed ballot measure as follows:
“Shall the City Council proposed measure to modernize City Charter Section 521 relating to contracts and leases of City property be adopted.”
The proposed resolution also authorizes the Mayor to file a written argument on the Council’s behalf regarding the measure, accompanied by up to four additional printed names and signatures of the persons joining the mayor in submitting it, pursuant to Elections Code Section 9282. The resolution includes directions to the City Clerk regarding selection of arguments for and against the measure pursuant to Elections Code Section 9285. The resolution also directs the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the proposed measure and to transmit the impartial analysis to the City Clerk to include in ballot materials.

Appropriation of General Fund Reserves in the amount of $195,000 to fund the costs necessary to support the County Elections Division will be needed to add the charter amendment to the June 2, 2026, election.

As an alternative action, should Council choose to consolidate this measure with the general municipal election in November, then Council should make a motion to defer action on the proposed resolution and direct staff to prepare and return to Council at the appropriate time a resolution to submit to the voters a City Council proposed measure to amend City Charter Section 521 to modernize provisions relating to City contracts and leases of City property at the general municipal election to be held in November 2026. Placing the measure on the November ballot would cost approximately $65,000 to fund the extra costs necessary to support the County Election Division.

City Council Report
Resolution to Call a Special Election and Approve a Ballot Measure to Amend the City Charter to Modernize Charter Section 521 Relating to Contracts and Leases [Resolution] February 3, 2026

PREPARED AND
SUBMITTED BY: Rene Eyerly, Assistant City Administrator Daniel S. Hentschke, Assistant City Attorney
SUBMITTED BY: Kelly McAdoo, City Administrator
1 RESOLUTION NO.

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

SANTA BARBARA APPROVING AND CALLING FOR

THE SUBMISSION TO THE VOTERS OF A CITY

COUNCIL PROPOSED MEASURE TO AMEND CITY
CHARTER SECTION 521 TO MODERNIZE

PROVISIONS RELATING TO CITY CONTRACTS AND

LEASES OF CITY PROPERTY AT A SPECIAL

MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY ON
JUNE 2, 2026, AND AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 25-
066, ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR
2026, TO APPROPRIATE $195,000 OF GENERAL

FUND RESERVES
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to submit a proposed City Charter amendment to the voters at the Statewide Direct Primary Election on June 2, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to call a Special Municipal Election to be consolidated with the Statewide Primary Election/Presidential Primary Election June 2, 2026, and
WHEREAS, the proposed charter amendment does not alter any procedural or substantive protection, right, benefit, or employment status of any local government employee or any retiree or of any local government employee organization, and
WHEREAS, the proposed charter amendment is an exercise of the City’s Constitutional home rule power regarding a matter of municipal affairs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. That pursuant to requirements of the Charter of the City of Santa Barbara and California Election Code, there is called and ordered to be held in the City of Santa Barbara on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, a Special Municipal Election for the purpose of submitting a City Council charter amendment proposal to the voters for approval.
2 SECTION 2. That the City Council, pursuant to its right and authority under State Government Code section 34458, and Elections Code sections 1415 (a)(2) and 9255, does order submitted to the voters at the municipal election on June 2, 2026, the following proposed charter amendment:

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA CHARTER AMENDMENT
MEASURE ___ -2026
YES Shall the City Council proposed measure to modernize City Charter Section 521 relating to contracts and leases of City property be adopted. NO SECTION 3. The City Council approves and adopts the complete text of the amendment of City Charter Section 521 as follows, with deletions of existing text shown in strike out and additions shown in underlining for convenient reference only:

Section 521Contracts. Restrictions.

No contract or lease or extension thereof by which the City is bound for a longer period than five years shall be valid unless said the contract, or lease or extension be made or is approved by ordinance or resolution of the City Council. which shall be subject to referendum; nor may the City lease property owned, held or controlled by it for any period exceeding 50 years. Contracts for the sale, lease, or use of city property are a municipal affair subject only to the limitations as may be provided in this Charter or in the Constitution of the State of California. The City may lease property owned, held, or controlled by it for terms established by the City Council.

This section shall not apply to any franchise granted pursuant to the provisions of this Charter or to any contract for the furnishing or acquisition of the products, commodity commodities, or services of any public utility SECTION 4. The City Council directs the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the proposed charter amendment to the City Attorney. The City Attorney is directed to prepare an impartial analysis of the proposal, not to exceed 500 words in length, showing the effect of the proposal on existing law and the operation of the proposal. The City Attorney is further directed to transmit the impartial analysis to the City Clerk within ten days of adoption of this Resolution. 3 SECTION 5. Pursuant to Elections Code section 9282, the City Council authorizes the Mayor to file a written argument on its behalf regarding the measure, accompanied by up to four additional printed names and signatures of the persons joining the Mayor in submitting it.

SECTION 6. Pursuant to Elections Code section 9285, the City Council authorizes the City Clerk to select the arguments for and against the measure, which will be printed and distributed to the voters in accordance with this Resolution and state law. The City Clerk shall send a copy of the argument in favor of the measure to the authors of any argument against the measure and copy of an argument against the measure to the authors of any argument in favor of the measure immediately upon receiving the arguments. The author or a majority of the authors of an argument relating to the measure may prepare and submit a rebuttal argument or may authorize in writing any other person or persons to prepare, submit, or sign the rebuttal argument. The rebuttal argument shall not exceed 250 words. A rebuttal argument may not be signed by more than five persons. Rebuttal arguments shall be printed in the same manner as the direct arguments. Each rebuttal argument shall immediately follow the direct argument which it seeks to rebut.

SECTION 7. That the City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to procure and furnish any and all official ballots, notices, printed matter, and all supplies, equipment, and paraphernalia that may be necessary in order to properly and lawfully conduct the election.

SECTION 8. Notice of the time and place of holding the election is hereby given and the City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to give further or additional notice of the election in time, form and manner as required by law.

SECTION 9. Pursuant to Elections Code sections 10401 and 10403, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara is hereby requested to consent and agree to the consolidation of the Special Municipal Election with the Statewide Primary Election/Presidential Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, for the submission of the measure.

SECTION 10. The County Elections Division is hereby authorized to canvass the returns of the Special Municipal Election. The election shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election, and only one form of ballot shall be used.
4 SECTION 11. The Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara is hereby requested to issue instructions to the County Elections Division to take any and all steps necessary for the holding of the consolidated election.

SECTION 12. The City Council of the City of Santa Barbara recognizes that additional costs will be incurred by the County of Santa Barbara by reason of this consolidation and hereby agrees to reimburse the County for these costs. In accordance with the provisions of Section 1205 of the City Charter, the budget for the Fiscal Year 2026, as adopted by Resolution No. 25-066, is hereby amended as follows: The Council approves the appropriation of available General fund Reserves in the amount of $195,000 to fund the cost necessary to support the County Elections Division with respect to the ballot measure to amend Charter Section 521.

SECTION 13. The City Clerk is hereby directed to file a certified copy of this resolution with the Board of Supervisors and the County Elections Division of the County of Santa Barbara.