June 25, 2026 — Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG)

Meeting Summary

Present: Rouse, Peroti, Patino, Mosby, Mead, Lee, Lavagnino, Julian, Hartman, Clark, Nelson

This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.

Staff requested $715,000 to authorize a firm for community communication during remaining construction phases.
Discussion balanced expenditure concerns against the necessity of dedicated outreach for residents and businesses.
The board voted to approve the staff recommendation for the public information services.

Staff presented a project update including a $1.426 million federal grant transfer to SBCAG.
Discussion covered easement acquisition, equestrian path inclusion, and trail safety maintenance concerns.
The board approved the memorandum of understanding with the Tribe and project direction.

Staff presented population and employment projections through 2060 to support the Regional Transportation Plan.
Directors questioned the accuracy of growth drivers related to Vandenberg Space Force Base and Lompoc.
The board approved the estimates after staff clarified the methodology and data sources.

The meeting was called to order. A roll call was conducted, and a quorum was established.

The public comment period was opened for items not on the agenda. One written comment was submitted and placed online as part of the agenda packet. There were no requests for oral public comment during this period.

A motion was made to approve the administrative agenda items A through T, with the exception of Item 4C. The motion was moved by a director from Santa Maria and seconded by a director from Guadalupe. The motion passed.

Item 4C regarding public information services for the Highway 101 Carpenteria to Santa Barbara segments was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion. Staff presented a request to authorize up to $715,000 for a public information firm to manage community communication for the remaining construction phases. Staff noted the requirement stemmed from a cooperative agreement with Caltrans and highlighted the necessity of dedicated outreach due to the complexity of the project and the limitations of Caltrans’ Public Information Office (PIO) to handle the volume alone.
Discussion covered the cost justification, the timing of the Request for Proposal (RFP), and alternatives such as managing the function in-house. Concerns were raised regarding the expenditure level relative to the project stage and suggestions that funds could be prioritized for local road improvements. Counterpoints were offered regarding the necessity of clear communication to prevent disruptions to businesses and residents, citing past experiences with ramp closures. Staff clarified that the funding was from a specific project pot and that the budget represented a reduction from previous years.
A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation. The motion was seconded. Following discussion, the vote was taken. The motion passed.

Staff presented an update on the San Ynez Valley Railroad Trail project. The presentation covered startup activities, a $1.426 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration originally awarded to the San Ynez Chumash Tribe (to be transferred to SBCAG), and upcoming public outreach plans. The project aims to create a multi-use trail connecting various communities in the San Ynez Valley.
Discussion focused on project specifics, including easement acquisition, the inclusion of equestrian paths, and safety maintenance concerns such as encampments on trails. A public comment in support of the project was received, emphasizing the need for early stakeholder engagement regarding safety, accessibility, and maintenance.
A motion was made by Director Mead to approve the recommended items regarding the MOU with the Tribe, the agreement with FHWA, and project direction. The motion was seconded. The vote was taken. The motion passed.

Staff presented the Regional Growth Forecast Estimates to support the development of the next Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Community Strategy. The forecast provided population, household, and employment projections for the county through 2060.
Discussion centered on the confidence levels of the data, specifically regarding growth projections related to Vandenberg Space Force Base and the Lompoc area. Concerns were raised that the forecast numbers did not accurately reflect current development activity or known growth drivers in specific jurisdictions. Staff explained the methodology, which utilized Department of Finance data combined with local input, and noted the forecast would be updated periodically. Questions were also addressed regarding the impact of these numbers on the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).
A motion was made by Director Hartman to approve the 2025-2060 RTP SCS Regional Growth Forecast Estimates. The motion was seconded by Director Brown. The vote was taken. The motion passed.

Executive Director Report: It was noted that no board meetings or subregional meetings are scheduled for July.
Caltrans Report: Caltrans addressed recent miscommunication regarding ramp closures in Buellton and confirmed corrective actions. Updates were provided on drainage work resumption and a speed limit reduction on Robinson Bridge.
Committee Reports:
CalCOG: Update on legislative matters regarding SB 375.
CalVans: Update on fiscal challenges and electric van deployment.
LOSAN: Update on the Ortega Siding project and outreach meetings held in Montecito.
One-Minute Reports: Directors provided brief updates on upcoming community events, including a World Cup watch party and Independence Day celebrations.

The meeting was adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for August 20th in Santa Barbara.