Roadmap To Recovery
by Bonnie Donovan
Stop the Press
A woman came to see me and share some information:
Why has this been withheld from us?
The March 27th Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA) Board Meeting took a vote to reopen State Street!
On the agenda:
State Street Survey results, next steps, proposal to the Board for action, recommendation that State Street be reopened until the Master Plan process is done Action Item The Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association 2 recommends that State Street be reopened to its pre-COVID status while the State Street Master Plan is developed and approved. Furthermore, the State Street Master Plan should include a State Street open to vehicles while maintaining flexibility for special event street closures, and prioritize the creation of additional housing downtown.
A vote was taken and all in favor, the city administrator abstained.
Why hasn’t this gone to council?
Roadmap To Recovery
We had someone take notes for SBCurrent at the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce (From Goleta to Carpinteria) Roadmap To Recovery: Power On event. Here is that report:
The chamber’s Kristin Miller covered the theme of collaboration between the cities and businesses, detailed the energy initiative (see pamphlet), discussed the housing crisis and potential business-sponsored housing initiative that would include incentives, although no details were discussed.
The city “Mayor” presentations included Goleta, which is apparently “doing really well.” Crime is down. Five affordable projects were discussed, including the Buena Tierra homeless project. Plans for an underground passageway from Calle Real to the beach are moving ahead. Goleta’s train station, library, and certain parks will be remodeled and upgraded.
In Carpinteria, various park and open space improvements are planned, the “Age Well” program was lauded as “a success,” participants bid a sad farewell to two longtime downtown establishments: The Palms and Robitailles. The Linden Square project continues apace, and features new shops, a promenade, restaurants etc. The anniversary of Carpinteria’s cityhood is set for September. Stay tuned for announcements.
Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse announced that 34% of street improvements are finished. (There are about 254 centerline miles of paved road in the city, and so far, nearly 34% of the total have been rehabilitated).
The airport reports it has better flights available and better quality aircraft are coming. The airport has experienced record numbers of passengers, while landing fewer aircraft (which are larger, newer, and quieter).
The city enjoys one of the highest bond ratings available to an agency of this size, due to the practice of reserve maintenance, paying PERS obligations in advance (saves about 1 million a year) and by chipping away at its PERS principal balance).
The new location of the farmers market is very popular; SBIFF to occupy Fiesta 5 and has committed to doing substantial capital investment in the old Fiesta 5 theater complex.
The new Zoo director was announced, and Michael Towbes Plaza was dedicated at the Library. Discussed various successful roundabouts, most of which are almost done. Discussed moving full speed ahead with Paseo Nuevo and La Cumbre Plaza housing projects. Affordable Housing Trust Fund created to support projects all over town. Showed homeless encampment video and talked about three pop-up navigation sites which will have a permanent location at the new FARO Center. Mentioned repaying principal on the pension debt. Considering business incentives to improve downtown.
City Managers
All asked to comment on sources of revenue-not surprising, sales and occupancy taxes were the biggest source.
Santa Barbara: Two sales tax Measures, C (for capital improvements) and I (created to unfreeze public safety positions), make up deficits in the General fund. In SB, the largest expenses in the General Fund were salaries and benefits (60%). New compensation study to be done which will include new job descriptions.
I didn’t take notes on the Carp and Goleta city managers presentations. No surprises. Thought you’d like SB the most.
Cheers!
Measure C and Measure I will fix everything 🙂
We were told Measure C sales tax increase was needed to fix our infrastructure.
Then seven short years later the city came after us for more with Measure I that would bring in $15,000,000- plus per year and would pull us out of our seven-to-ten-million-dollar deficit.
More emails from our readers:
What is happening with the road construction at the intersection of Las Positas and Stanley Dr.?
It appeared they were constructing a crosswalk with safety lights and installed an island in the center Road of Las Positas at that dangerous intersection where a woman was killed on November 4, 2021.
Last week and after months of construction and before this project was completed, the center Island was removed along with lighting poles.
Who is responsible for this debacle and the cost to correct the mistake?
John Chufar
(Consider the case of Las Positas Island, which has now disappeared. Could this loss have been avoided if funds had been allocated more wisely? We now face expenses related to studies, installation, and removal, along with the uncertainty of future costs associated with whatever solutions are proposed next. –B.D.)
Sidewalk Closed?
Remember, if Measure I (half-cent sales tax) will bring in over $15,000,000 per year, that means Measure C (one-cent sales tax) should be bringing in over $30,000,000 per year…
Asphalt sidewalks are now being laid around town.
Why Not Concrete?
Why, with Measure C money to fix our infrastructure and the new backup Measure I is the East Side getting asphalt and not concrete when the city repairs our sidewalks?
Teresa Gonzales
The following two pictures are on E. Montecito Street between Alisos and Voluntario Streets.
New sidewalks coming to you?
Spend, Baby, Spend
The restaurant seating expansions are often in violation of several CA Building Codes, particularly the Plumbing Fixtures Count Code. This code outlines the required number of toilets based on occupancy, which has historically been a significant hurdle in obtaining approvals from the Building Department. For instance, during our most recent project, we faced over nine weeks of delays and were ultimately required to add an additional ADA bathroom, despite the Building Department acknowledging that their demands exceeded code requirements. This combination of delays, carrying costs, and additional construction led to costs exceeding $250,000.
Additionally, Sarah's (Downtown Parking) response indicated that the fees for parklets are insufficient, as evidenced by the need to utilize Measure C funds for the Trex sidewalks on the 500 block. (over half a million dollars)
Under California law, city governments can face prosecution under the CA Unfair Competition Law.
Kevin Boss
Remember, it started out as a pedestrian promenade
Kristen Sneddon’s efforts to integrate everything related to State Street Promenade into Measure C raise concerns about the financial implications for taxpayers. It seems likely that the costs associated with ensuring all restaurants comply with regulations will ultimately be passed on to us through Measures C and I. This situation highlights a failure to create a truly pedestrian-friendly promenade, which now appears to prioritize cycling over foot traffic, a compromise that many feel undermines the original vision.
Moreover, the endorsements received by those involved suggest a willingness to sacrifice community interests for political gain. It is crucial to reconsider how public funds are being utilized in this context. Taxpayer money should not be squandered on initiatives that do not align with the community's needs and expectations. We must advocate for responsible spending and a genuine commitment to enhancing the pedestrian experience on State Street. (Reminder: they have already spent multiple millions on this failure.)
If you can’t do that, then OPEN STATE STREET!
BUDGET HEARINGS
All Council Budget Review Schedule (FY2026 & FY2027).pdf
Please participate in the Budget Hearings. Finance Director Keith DeMartini shows us graphs in his presentation and in a few short years, we will again be in a deficit. I suggest the council and staff listen to Keith!
They never stop trying to increase taxes on us to fix what they caused
Last week Gavin Newsom’s Administration released a plan to impose a mileage tax on all California drivers! And this week, CA Democrats are taking up five additional tax hikes in the state legislature. Details on these costly and unfair tax hikes are below – but they need your help to defeat them!
>> CONTRIBUTE: Protect Prop 13 & Stop Tax Hikes
PROPERTY TAX (9 bills): Democrats have introduced nine separate bills that would increase your property tax in some way – with the worst being a costly property transfer tax that would give state and local government 5% of the value of every home sold – on top of the capital gains tax! Worse, Democrats are working with labor union bosses to put a repeal of Prop 13 on the ballot in 2026.
PAYROLL TAX (Newsom Annual Budget): Newsom has included a job-killing hike in the payroll tax – costing struggling small businesses $1 billion more per year in payroll costs. That means fewer jobs in our state.
VACANCY TAX (SB 789): After forcing businesses to close with excessive taxes and regulations, Democrats now want to impose a tax on vacant offices and retail stores that once housed all the businesses they destroyed. Talk about adding insult to injury!
SOCIAL MEDIA TAX (AB 796): This week, Democrats will vote on a bill to impose a tax on the social media platforms you currently get to use for free. Expect that tax to be passed on to users of these platforms.
INCOME TAX (AB 1428): California already has the highest income taxes of any state – but this bill would increase it to a whopping 13.8%.
MILEAGE TAX (AB 1421): Newsom proposes to track every driver’s mileage and charge them 6-9 cents per mile they drive. That is the equivalent of an 80-cent-per-gallon hike in the gas tax. The typical California driver will be forced to pay $900-1200 a year in higher taxes just to drive on poorly maintained freeways they already paid for with the original gas and sales taxes!
UPDATES
Appeal filed with the city regarding 418 N. Milpas, thanks to everyone that donated.
The neighborhood came together with many other supporters who want to see us succeed in stopping this project. We met our fundraising goal of $1,095 and filed the appeal with the City Clerk. Thank you for your support.
The next step: while the city looks at its calendars and we wait for them to come back to us with dates, our job is to get ready.
Your help is needed.
The real and hard work begins! Together we can make this work! Contact: Natasha Todorovic natasha@spiraldynamics.org
Coming Soon
I haven’t had time to go through my PRAR of Joe Holland yet, but I'm seeing a lot of declines (to attend) from him regarding meetings.
Last chance to get to the Neal Taylor Fishing Derby
In my post-Sepsis recovery, I currently use a walker. I agree with Bill Russell when he says “The use of asphalt versus concrete sidewalks is hilarious.” It's also ugly - and extremely dangerous for people who have mobility issues and use a walker or wheelchair. I have to constantly do a step, stop, pick up my walker and place it carefully down on the asphalt in order to take another step. When did disability rights get shoved aside for government grifting rights?
Open State Street?
Which organization said this was the, path forward, since the minute COVID restrictions were lifted?
What group stated without an open State St. emergency response and any hope of economic recovery was dead?
Was there an organization that immediately objected to and called foul on the "supposed" emergency ordinance passed by the SB Council that prohibited the Historic Landmarks from stepping in and stopping what has now proven the Disaster Called Old Town State St. planning?
Guess what, that organization is called Cars Are Basic, and every forecast of failure by the City of Santa Barbara from Mission to Cabrillo has unfortunately been proven.
This item by Mr. Boss "...response indicated that the fees for parklets are insufficient, as evidenced by the need to utilize Measure C funds for the Trex sidewalks on the 500 block. (over half a million dollars)...." is interesting. It is a waste of money. It is to make a playground of what us supposed to be the backbone of Downtown Santa Barbara.
The head of the Downtown Organization made it clear to the Council closing State St. was a fools path. Taking her lead, before COVID, CAB challenged the City to open State Street to what it was "prior" to the insanity of MIG plan to narrow the street. Use it as a test case to prove or disprove the 40 year old concept that has failed businesses and citizens of Santa Barbara. The Council answer was the 3 Brass Monkeys.
A reminder from the "PROMISE" by Dave Davis in the first 3 blocks of State St. narrowing: "If it does not improve businesses the City will retro-fit State St."
What was the response? MUTE. 20 years later with CAB standing before City Council demanding where is the promise the answer was "It is not a large enough economic area and will work when State St. narrowing goes to Cabrillo Blvd. Compounded failure is not success.
CAB finds it interesting one insane project "the road construction at the intersection of Las Positas and Stanley Dr.?????" It was for access to De Loreta Plaza. Access that the City had created 60 years earlier. CAB members walked it daily for months 60 years ago. Good riddance for political driven stupidity.
Bonnie thanks for this. (handing you a pick an shovel....let's dig up more dirt and failure)