Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG)

SB CAG Board Meeting Summary – February 19

Opening and Public Comment

• The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair David Silva. Roll call was conducted; Chair Nelson was absent. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, public comment was opened for items not on the agenda. No members of the public requested to speak on general items.

Consent Calendar

• Public comment was solicited for the consent calendar. Barry Remus of MOVE Santa Barbara County spoke in support of consent item 4F regarding Measure A funding for bike and pedestrian improvements on Highway 246. No items were pulled from the calendar. Director Hartman moved approval of the consent agenda, and Director Patino seconded. The motion passed via roll call vote.

Item 5A: Expanded Inner City Passenger Rail Service

• Staff presented a recommendation to approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute a cooperative funding agreement with the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency (LOSAN) and the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). The proposal outlines a 12-month pilot program for expanded inner-city passenger rail service, operating 365 days per year. The agreement involves a fixed fee of approximately $2.2 million, split evenly between SBCAG and VCTC, with estimated fare revenues expected to offset costs. Service is scheduled to launch in late April or early May.
• Discussion ensued regarding project details. Director Lee inquired about the impact of the Ortega Siding Project; staff confirmed it would not delay the service. Director Patino asked about stops in Guadalupe; staff confirmed the train stops there but noted the schedule slide focused on Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Vice Chair Silva and Director Brown asked about employer partnerships and outreach strategies. Staff described plans for employer forums, subsidized passes, and coordinated marketing with VCTC and LOSAN. Concerns regarding service reliability compared to the 2018 pilot were raised; staff indicated that adjusted freight schedules by Union Pacific would improve reliability.
• Director Perotti moved approval of the recommendations, and Director Hartman seconded. The motion passed via roll call vote.

Item 5B: Sustainable Community Strategy Planning Process (SB 375)

• Staff presented an informational report on Senate Bill 375, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, and its impact on SBCAG. The presentation covered greenhouse gas emission reduction targets (17% below 2005 levels by 2035), the relationship between land use and transportation, and current efforts to reform the law. Staff noted that funding eligibility for certain programs now requires a compliant sustainable community strategy.
• Discussion focused on the challenges of meeting targets given regional constraints. Director Brown raised concerns about tourism skewing vehicle miles traveled statistics. Staff acknowledged that SB 375 holds the agency accountable for factors outside its direct control, such as land use authority and economic activity. Director Mosby discussed local jobs-housing imbalances, citing Lompoc as an example of historical planning challenges. Director Hartman suggested inviting REACH to present on economic development. Director Lee asked about telecommuting; staff noted that telecommuting is credited toward compliance and that broadband infrastructure supports this. No motion or vote was taken on this item.

Item 5C: Draft 2026 State and Federal Legislative Platform

• Staff presented reports on the 2026 Federal and State Legislative Platforms. Don Gilchrist of Thomas Walters & Associates provided a federal outlook, noting the passage of the transportation bill and the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization. He highlighted the importance of reliable funding as the Highway Trust Fund faces insolvency by 2028. Gus Corey of Corey Consulting presented the state outlook, highlighting funding secured for Measure A projects and ongoing discussions regarding SB 375 reform and transportation funding mechanisms.
• Discussion centered on funding sources. Director Julian inquired about gas tax rates and the potential shift to a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) or vehicle registration fee. Staff explained that the gas tax generates approximately $8.1 billion annually and that a VMT fee is being considered as an alternative due to declining gas tax revenue. Director Mosby raised concerns about administrative efficiency and spending. The agenda included authorization to sign onto the California Federal Surface Transportation Reauthorization Principles.
• Director Hartman moved approval of the platforms and related actions, and Director Patino seconded. The motion passed via roll call vote.

Executive Director Report

• Executive Director Margie Kern acknowledged the approval of the rail service agreement and thanked staff for their efforts. She noted upcoming legislative visits in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and the March meeting of the Measure A Citizens Advisory Committee.

Committee Reports

• CALCOG: Director Patino reported on discussions regarding establishing a 501c3, the upcoming regional leadership forum, and updates on the state legislature and SB 375.
• LOSAN: Director Perotti reported on the meeting regarding extended rail service and edits to draft materials emphasizing the need for state funding to maintain service.

One-Minute Reports

• Director Julian: Acknowledged Caltrans funding, Senator Schiff’s support for community centers, and staff efforts during weather events.
• Director Mosby: Announced an effort to pass a half-cent asphalt tax in Lompoc to address deferred maintenance, citing Measure A as a model.
• Director Perotti: Reported that two roundabouts associated with the Project Connect are scheduled to open to traffic on March 2.