CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
CITY COUNCIL
Randy Rowse
Mayor
Kristen W. Sneddon
Mayor Pro Tempore
Kelly McAdoo
City Administrator
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
MARCH 17, 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.
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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. 03/17/2026 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 1 MARCH 17, 2026 AGENDA
SPECIAL ORDINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING - 11:00 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBER
1. Subject: Single Family Streamlining Project Ordinance Amendments Recommendation: That Ordinance Committee review and recommend that City Council approve the ordinance amendments to Titles 30, 25, and 22 related to the Single Family Streamlining Project, determine that the proposed ordinance amendments are consistent with the General Plan, and determine that the proposed ordinance amendments are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Class 5 (Guidelines Section 15305:
Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations).
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 2:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Subject: Introduction of Ordinance Authorizing a Utility Easement to Southern California Edison at 51 Crestview Lane [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 Approving and Authorizing the Public Works Director to Execute a Utility Easement to Southern California Edison and Related Maintenance Agreement for Property Located at 51 Crestview Lane.
2. Subject: Budget Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2026 to Support Program Operations at Daytime Navigation and Workforce Development Center at 621 Chapala Street [Resolution]
Recommendation: That Council 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 Approve an Increase in Expenditure 03/17/2026 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 2 Appropriations in the Flexible Housing and Homelessness Fund in the Amount of $145,972 Funded by Measure I Revenue and an Increase in Revenue and Expenditure Appropriations in the City Administrator’s Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund Budget in the Amount of $25,000 Funded by Sublease Revenue to Support an Agreement with the Service Provider for Referral-Based Navigation Center Services at 621 Chapala Street.
3. Subject: Agreement with RSG, Inc. to Support the Development of a Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Program [Resolution; Agreement] Recommendation: That Council:
A. Authorize the City Administrator to execute an Agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney, with RSG, Inc. to assist in developing a rent stabilization ordinance and program; 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 Approve an Allocation in the Fiscal Year 2026 Expenditure Appropriations in the Flexible Housing and Homelessness Fund in the Amount of $65,105 to fund an Agreement with RSG, Inc.
4. Subject: Professional Design Services for Downtown Parking Structures and Facilities Conditions Assessment [Agreement]
Recommendation: That Council:
A. Authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Watry Design, Inc. (Watry), in the amount of $249,900 for professional design services to provide a Comprehensive Downtown Parking Structures and Facilities Conditions Assessment; and B. Determine that the Project is exempt under California Environmental Quality Act Guideline § 15306 and direct the filing of a Notice of Exemption in compliance with California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines § 15062.
5. Subject: Amendment to City Attorney and City Administrator Employment Agreements [Agreement]
Recommendation: That Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement with City Attorney John Doimas and the Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement with City Administrator Kelly McAdoo, which would modify the retirement contribution provisions to require the employees to pay the statutory member contribution to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and an additional 7.5 percent employee cost-sharing contribution toward the employer retirement contribution, 03/17/2026 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 3 resulting in a total employee retirement contribution of 15.5 percent of reportable compensation through Fiscal Year 2027, subject to compliance with applicable CalPERS laws.
6. Subject: Amendment to City Net Agreement No. 28,759 Allocating Sufficient Funding to Complete Fiscal Year 2026 Funding Cycle [Agreement] Recommendation: That Council authorize the City Administrator to execute a First Amendment to City Agreement No. 28,759 with Kingdom Causes, Inc. (dba City Net) to increase the HOME ARP Budget Allocation for Fiscal Year 2026, in the amount of $133,614, and to extend the term of the Agreement to June 30, 2026.
7. Subject: Letters to State and Federal Legislators Supporting Funding for Subsidence-Related Repairs to the State Water Project
Recommendation: That Council authorize the Mayor to send letters to State and Federal legislators to include funding for subsidence-related water infrastructure repairs on the State Water Project’s California Aqueduct.
8. Subject: City of Santa Barbara Public Comment on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Proposed Rule Changing Treatment of Mixed-Status Households in HUD-Assisted Housing and Rental Assistance Programs
Recommendation: That Council authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) opposing a proposed rule changing treatment of mixed-status households in HUD-assisted housing and rental assistance programs.
REPORT FROM THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
PULLED CONSENT ITEMS
CITY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE AND ATTORNEY REPORTS
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
9. Subject: Ordinance Adjusting Tax Rates of Cannabis Businesses [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 Adjusting Tax Rates of Cannabis Businesses Pursuant to Santa Barbara Municipal Code Section
5.42.250 and Rescinding Ordinance No. 5831.
03/17/2026 Santa Barbara City Council Final Agenda Page 4
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
10. Subject: 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report (CITY2026-00006) Recommendation: That Council receive the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report.
COUNCIL AND STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
COUNCILMEMBER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS & ENGAGEMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENT (IF NECESSARY)
ADJOURNMENT