Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Nomura, 1-Solórzano, 5-Clark, 3-Mayer
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Proclamation Honoring Clementine Steakhouse
- The Council adopted a proclamation honoring the establishment for over 50 years of service to the Carpinteria community.
- The owner accepted the recognition on behalf of the staff and family, noting the business's history since 1976.
- The motion to adopt the proclamation passed unanimously.
Proclamation Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- The Council adopted a resolution recognizing October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
- A representative from Domestic Violence Solutions spoke about the organization's services and the national theme "With Survivors Always."
- The proclamation encouraged residents to support survivors and promote zero tolerance for domestic violence.
Proclamation Honoring 60 Years of Regional Partnership
- The Council adopted a proclamation honoring 60 years of regional partnerships through the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments.
- Representatives highlighted Carpinteria’s role as a founding member and discussed transportation investments like Highway 101 improvements.
- The motion to adopt the proclamation passed unanimously.
Introduction of Jacob Lyle, Management Analyst 1
- The Assistant City Manager introduced Jacob Lyle, the new Management Analyst 1 in the General Government Department.
- Lyle outlined his responsibilities, which include risk management, ADA compliance, and policy updates.
- Lyle addressed the Council to express gratitude for the opportunity to join the city.
Introduction of Tanya Sanchez, UCSB College Corps Fellow
- Staff introduced Tanya Sanchez, the city’s new intern through UCSB’s California College Corps Fellowship Program.
- Her role involves supporting environmental programs and community garden operations through June 2027.
- Sanchez addressed the Council regarding her new position.
Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District’s On-Demand Service
- The General Manager of MTD presented "The Wave," a new on-demand microtransit service operating Wednesday through Sunday.
- The service covers most of Carpinteria, including Padero and the Amtrak station, with a $3 flat fee that is free until November 1, 2026.
- Council members inquired about the duration of temporary funding and the minimum age requirement for independent riding.
Annual Report on Law Enforcement Services
- The Chief of Police presented the 2025 Public Safety Annual Review, noting a 6% decrease in calls for service and an 11% decrease in Part 1 crimes.
- The report highlighted a 33% decrease in homeless-related calls and a 13% decrease in mental health-related calls.
- The Sheriff’s Office is transitioning to the National Incident-Based Reporting System for more detailed data collection.
Sheriff’s Recap Report (September)
- The Sheriff’s office reported on September incidents, including nine domestic violence cases and two weapon brandishing cases.
- The report noted no major law enforcement incidents during the Avocado Festival aside from heat-related issues.
- The Chief provided resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, including hotline numbers and websites.
Carpinteria Community Library Monthly Report
- The Library Director presented a report on September programs, including Teen Movie Night and a Hispanic Heritage Month screening.
- Outreach efforts resulted in 56 new library cards at local schools, and the library added new e-resources and streaming services.
- The library received new AIM memberships from the MOXIE museum valued at approximately $20,000 at no cost to the city.
City Manager’s Report
- The City Manager provided updates on recruitment, noting that the Public Works Director position remains open and a final selection for the Building Official has been made.
- A temporary sand berm is planned for installation around November 2nd to protect against winter storms.
- The City received an Outstanding Flood Management Project Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for the Villarreal Stormwater project.
Planning Commission Action Report (Surfliner Inn)
- Staff reported that the Planning Commission certified the final Environmental Impact Report and approved Alternative 5 with specific modifications.
- Modifications include a six-foot screening wall, limitations on rooftop events, and expanded adaptive parking management.
- The Commission also approved the deletion of a condition requiring improvements to the Linden Avenue railroad crossing.
Council Discussion (Surfliner Inn)
- Council members discussed the option to appeal the Planning Commission's decision, noting that a member of the public has already filed an appeal.
- The City Clerk and City Attorney clarified that the Council cannot make substantive changes to the approved alternative without a formal appeal.
- The appeal period is 10 days, allowing the Council to consider the full evidence during that process.
Maintenance Agreement with Precision Concrete Cutting
- Staff presented a proposal to authorize a maintenance agreement for sidewalk repairs in Zone 1 via the CJPIA cooperative purchasing contract.
- The assessment identified 343 larger trip hazards targeted for saw-cutting repairs across 35 street segments, totaling approximately 1,800 linear feet.
- The estimated cost is $70,824.60, and the motion to authorize the agreement passed by roll call vote.
FY 2026-2027 Community Services Support Grant Program
- Staff presented the Finance Committee’s recommendations for the Community Services Support Grant program, with an appropriation reduced to $105,500.
- The Committee recommended funding for 13 applicants totaling $100,500, with $5,000 held in reserve.
- The motion to approve the grant award recommendations passed by roll call vote, with one member absent due to recusal.
Recap of August 31, 2026 State of the City Address
- Staff presented a recap of actions taken to address the structural deficit and $24 million in deferred maintenance.
- Strategies included bringing street sweeping in-house, automating service requests, and increasing service fees for park rentals and planning charges.
- The City secured $850,000 in federal funding and $4.4 million in state funding for facility improvements.
Committee Reports and Other Matters
- A council member reported on the CJPIA annual conference, noting sessions on deferred maintenance liability and crisis management.
- Another council member reported on the Housing and Homelessness Regional Committee, highlighting a new county homelessness prevention model.
- The same council member reported on a Beach Smart presentation regarding beach erosion management and sediment deposition.
Full summary
Agenda Item 1: Proclamation Honoring Clementine Steakhouse
- Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers. A motion was made and seconded to adopt a proclamation honoring Clementine Steakhouse for over 50 years of service to the Carpinteria community. The motion passed unanimously. The proclamation was read, recognizing the establishment’s history since 1976 and its closure on October 4, 2026. Lloyd McLenathan, the owner, accepted the recognition on behalf of the staff and family.
Agenda Item 2: Proclamation Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
- Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers. A motion was made and seconded to adopt a resolution recognizing October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Carpinteria. The motion passed unanimously. Morgan Stephan, President of the Board of Directors for Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS), spoke about the organization’s services and the national theme "With Survivors Always." The proclamation was read, encouraging residents to support survivors and promote zero tolerance for domestic violence.
Agenda Item 3: Proclamation Honoring 60 Years of Regional Partnership (Santa Barbara County Association of Governments)
- Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers. A motion was made and seconded to adopt a proclamation honoring 60 years of regional partnerships through the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). The motion passed unanimously. Representatives from SBCAG, Lauren Bianchi Clemmon and Mike Becker, spoke regarding Carpinteria’s role as a founding member in 1966 and highlighted transportation investments, including Highway 101 improvements and Measure A funding. The proclamation was read, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the regional collaboration.
Agenda Item 4: Introduction of Jacob Lyle, Management Analyst 1
- Ryan Kentz, Assistant City Manager, introduced Jacob Lyle, the new Management Analyst 1 in the General Government Department. Lyle’s background in local government and his responsibilities, including risk management, ADA compliance, and policy updates, were outlined. Jacob Lyle addressed the Council, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to join the city. Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers.
Agenda Item 5: Introduction of Tanya Sanchez, UCSB College Corps Fellow
- Staff introduced Tanya Sanchez, the city’s new intern through UCSB’s California College Corps Fellowship Program. Her role, which involves supporting environmental programs and community garden operations through June 2027, was described. Tanya Sanchez addressed the Council. Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers.
Agenda Item 6: Presentation of Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District’s On-Demand Service (The Wave)
- Jerry Estrada, General Manager of the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD), presented the new "The Wave" on-demand microtransit service. Key details included service hours (Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM), a $3 flat fee (free until November 1, 2026), coverage of most of the City of Carpinteria including Padero and the Amtrak station, accessibility via vans equipped with wheelchair lifts, and current support by temporary Tier 3 cap-and-invest funds. Council members asked questions regarding lessons learned from the Goleta pilot, the duration of temporary funding, and the minimum age requirement (currently 14) for independent riding. MTD stated the age limit is a best practice that may be reassessed after further data collection. Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers.
Agenda Item 7: Annual Report on Law Enforcement Services
- The Chief of Police Services presented the 2025 Public Safety Annual Review. Key points included staffing levels (one Chief, one Sergeant, one Senior Deputy, two Deputies, and one Administrative Professional providing 24-hour coverage) and 2024–2025 statistics: calls for service decreased by approximately 6%, Part 1 crimes decreased by 11%, traffic collisions increased by approximately 10.5%, homeless-related calls for service decreased by 33%, and mental health-related calls for service decreased by approximately 13%. The Sheriff’s Office is transitioning from the Summary Reporting System (SRS) to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) for more detailed data collection. Council members inquired about performance metrics and cost correlations; the Chief stated he is not involved in contract negotiations but noted Carpinteria has access to all Sheriff’s resources. The Vice Mayor noted that contract terms have not changed since inception, though data reporting capabilities are improving with the NIBRS transition. In response to a public comment question, the Chief described the policing model as a combination of proactive and reactive policing, noting that Community Resource Deputies (CRDs) allow for more community engagement and prevention efforts. Public comment was opened; one speaker via Zoom asked questions regarding the policing model, success metrics, and potential budget reductions. The Chief responded by explaining the proactive and reactive components and inviting the speaker to follow up via email or in person. Public comment was then closed.
Sheriff’s Recap Report (September)
- The Sheriff’s office presented a report on September incidents, including a traffic accident involving a 16-year-old e-biker, gang-related graffiti, nine domestic violence cases, and two weapon brandishing cases. The report noted no major law enforcement incidents during the Avocado Festival, aside from heat-related issues. The Chief provided resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, including hotline numbers and websites.
Public Comment (Sheriff’s Report)
- A resident thanked the police chief and asked questions regarding officer staffing levels and recent ICE enforcement activities in Carpinteria. The Chief explained that ICE agents notified dispatch of their presence but did not share specific locations or actions. The Chief stated that local law enforcement would not intervene in federal operations unless a specific need arose, citing federal laws prohibiting interference with federal law enforcement and California laws prohibiting local assistance to ICE. The City Clerk added that local law enforcement generally does not request immigration status and that there are ongoing legal challenges in California regarding these jurisdictional boundaries. Another council member thanked the department for the smooth execution of the Avocado Festival.
Carpinteria Library Board of Trustees Meeting
- The meeting was called to order with all board members present. Legal noticing and procedural requirements were confirmed.
Public Comment (Library Board)
- A resident thanked the city and library staff for supporting the Hispanic community, migrant education, and library services.
Approval of Minutes (September 14, 2026)
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on September 14, 2026. The motion passed unanimously.
Carpinteria Community Library Monthly Report (October 2026)
- The Library Director presented a report highlighting September programs, including Teen Movie Night, Wild Things Talk, a Hispanic Heritage Month movie screening, and a Super Smash Bros. tournament. Outreach efforts included visits to Canalino Elementary and Carpinteria Middle School, where 56 students obtained library cards. The library joined the Palace Project for e-resources and added the streaming service Bibliotele. The Sick Books program continues with funding from the Black Gold Cooperative. The library received new AIM memberships from the MOXIE museum, valued at approximately $20,000, at no cost to the city. Staff attended the California State Library Rural Library Leadership Project and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference. A council member asked about future pass programs; the Director mentioned ongoing discussions with the Santa Barbara Zoo for a pilot program.
City Manager’s Report
- The City Manager provided updates on several items:
- Recruitment: The Public Works Director position remains open with interviews scheduled. A final selection for the Building Official has been made, pending a background check. A new engineering technician started employment.
- Winter Berm: A temporary sand berm is planned for installation around November 2nd to protect against winter storms, extending from Carpinteria City Beach from Linden to Ash Ave.
- Yard Waste: Options for residents with excess yard waste were outlined, including waiting for the next collection, renting a roll-off container, or transporting waste to the South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station.
- Creek Week: A recap of the September 19–26 Creek Week events was provided, noting 9 events in Carpinteria, including coastal cleanups, a paddle event, and a bio-blitz.
- Household Hazardous Waste: As of October 1, residents can dispose of household hazardous waste at the Community Hazardous Waste Center on the UCSB campus in Goleta, free of charge.
- Award: The City received an Outstanding Flood Management Project Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for the Villarreal Stormwater project.
Public Comment (City Manager’s Report)
- A resident requested that the council consider appealing the Planning Commission’s decision on the Surfliner Inn project, noting that their comment was more relevant to the next agenda item.
Planning Commission Action Report (Surfliner Inn)
- Staff reported that on October 5, the Planning Commission certified the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) by a vote of 4-0 (one recusal). The Commission then voted 3-1 to approve Alternative 5 and associated entitlements, with modifications including a six-foot screening wall, limitations on rooftop events, and expanded adaptive parking management. The Commission also approved the deletion of a condition requiring improvements to the Linden Avenue railroad crossing.
Public Comment (Surfliner Inn)
- Several residents spoke regarding the Surfliner Inn project:
- One resident urged the council to appeal the EIR certification and findings, arguing that views and noise impacts were not adequately analyzed and that Alternative 5 maximizes community impact.
- Another resident raised concerns about the parking study not accounting for large rooftop events and questioned the outsourcing of parking management to the applicant.
- A third resident pointed out architectural ambiguities regarding the pool design and a potential loophole in the rooftop event condition allowing unlimited events with fewer than 100 attendees. They also argued that the priority list for parking should favor the general public over hotel guests.
- Another resident cited city code violations regarding the single exit into the beach neighborhood and questioned the deletion of ADA and railroad safety improvements.
- A resident from the beach neighborhood requested the council appeal the decision to relocate parking lot 4, suggesting instead that parking lot 3 be extended and the community garden relocated to the vacant parcel proposed for lot 4, citing safety concerns for pedestrians.
- Another resident from the beach neighborhood asked the council to appeal the decision, arguing that parking lot 4 is incompatible with the residential neighborhood and that Alternative 3 (relocating the garden) is a better solution.
- A representative for Union Pacific Railroad asked the city to reconsider adding a diagnostic study for the Linden Avenue railroad crossing due to safety concerns for pedestrians, noting that Union Pacific is not taking a position on the project itself.
Council Discussion (Surfliner Inn)
- A council member stated they would not move to appeal the project themselves because a member of the public has already filed an appeal, allowing the council to consider the full evidence during that process. Another council member expressed interest in reviewing the parking lot location and rooftop event conditions, suggesting potential modifications such as relocating the parking lot to the community garden site and tightening event limits. The City Clerk and City Attorney clarified that under the municipal code, the Planning Commission’s decision is final unless appealed to the City Council. The council cannot make substantive changes to the approved alternative (e.g., switching from Alternative 5 to Alternative 3) without a formal appeal. The appeal period is 10 days. The council member acknowledged that the EIR covers multiple alternatives, but the specific approval of Alternative 5 requires an appeal to change.
Public Comment (Not on Agenda)
- A resident encouraged voters to check their mail-in ballots for Measure I (a sales tax increase) and to vote for a specific candidate for District 1. Another resident reported a large rusted object beached at the Harbor Seal Rookery, which was subsequently removed, and warned of potential dangers from El Niño storms. They also questioned the city’s direction regarding nightlife versus natural beauty.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned for a 10-minute break.
Consent Calendar
- The Council opened public comment, which was closed after no speakers were identified. A motion was made to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held September 28, 2026; receive and file the warrant register for September 21 through October 2, 2026; receive and file the monthly City Treasurer’s Report for August 2026; and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with 19-6 Architects for the Carpinteria Community Pool Improvements Project, increasing the total agreement by $225,000 to a maximum of $500,000. The motion included an appropriation of $225,000 from account 301-403-5280, offset by a $225,000 appropriation from account 301-403-4390, with no net impact to the general fund. The motion was seconded and passed by roll call vote.
Item 16: Maintenance Agreement with Precision Concrete Cutting
- Staff presented a proposal to authorize a maintenance agreement with Precision Concrete Cutting for sidewalk repairs in Zone 1 (northwest quadrant) via the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) cooperative purchasing contract. The assessment identified 2,181 hazards, with 343 larger trip hazards (1 to 2.5 inches high) targeted for saw-cutting repairs across 35 street segments, totaling approximately 1,800 linear feet. The estimated cost is $70,824.60. Staff and the contractor explained that saw-cutting reduces costs compared to full panel replacement and extends sidewalk life. Questions addressed the CJPIA’s role in the contract, the process for addressing resident-reported hazards outside the annual cycle (via GoGov service requests), and the cost savings of saw-cutting versus replacement. Staff noted that full replacements are handled by a separate contractor and that a zone-based replacement model is being explored for the five-year capital improvement plan. A question regarding potential conflicts of interest for council members residing in Zone 1 was answered by the City Clerk, who stated that normal street maintenance is carved out from FPPC conflict of interest rules. Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers. A motion was made to authorize the City Manager to execute the maintenance agreement with Precision Concrete Cutting in an amount not to exceed $70,824.60. The motion was seconded and passed by roll call vote.
Item 17: FY 2026-2027 Community Services Support Grant Program Funding Recommendations
- Before discussion, three council members disclosed potential conflicts of interest or recused themselves: one member recused themselves due to service on two boards with applications; another disclosed past service on the Carpinteria Skate Foundation board and stated they would participate; and a third disclosed their role as president of the Carpinteria Boys and Girls Club Foundation and landlord to the United Way property, stating they had no conflict. Staff presented the Finance Committee’s recommendations for the Community Services Support Grant (CSSG) program. The program has awarded over $270,000 since 2024. Due to budget constraints, the appropriation was reduced to $105,500 (including $5,500 from Measure A for transit services). Fifteen applications were received, totaling nearly $267,000 in requests. The Finance Committee recommended funding for 13 applicants, totaling $100,500, with $5,000 held in reserve. Questions addressed the rationale for the reserve fund, the source of funds (general funds), and suggestions for future guidelines to target organizations with greater need or impact. Staff committed to implementing guidelines for the next cycle. Public comment was opened. Peter Bonning of the Carpinteria Skate Foundation spoke about the organization’s preventative care model for middle schoolers. Karina Kulangara, board chair of the Linda Farrelly Carpinteria Arts Center, spoke about the center’s role in community connection and requested support for specific programs. Public comment was closed. A motion was made to approve the Finance Committee’s grant award recommendations for the FY 2026-27 CSSG program. The motion was seconded and passed by roll call vote, with one member absent due to recusal.
Item 18: Recap of August 31, 2026 State of the City Address
- Staff presented a recap of the State of the City Address, focusing on actions taken to address the structural deficit and deferred maintenance. The presentation highlighted two primary challenges: the structural deficit (expenses growing faster than revenues) and $24 million in deferred maintenance, primarily in street and road maintenance. Staff outlined six strategies to address these challenges: adjust service levels, improve efficiency, manage staffing growth, encourage economic growth, consider new revenue sources, and use one-time resources. Specific examples of cost savings and revenue increases included bringing street sweeping in-house (saving approximately $143,000 annually), automating service requests via GoGov, implementing a new permitting platform (GovWell), paying CalPERS pensions in lump sums (saving $135,000 over four years), and increasing service fees for park rentals, building plan checks, and planning charges. Staff also noted the implementation of AB 939 solid waste fees, the increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from 12% to 15% (increasing revenue by over $800,000), and the pending Measure I on the November 3 ballot. Staff reported securing $850,000 in federal funding and $4.4 million in state funding for facility improvements. Questions addressed the potential for bringing other services in-house (janitorial, landscaping), the long-term sustainability of landscape and winter berm services given the failed assessment district ballot, and the impact of reduced service levels on public right-of-way maintenance. Council members discussed the importance of economic vitality and forward-thinking revenue generation. Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers. A motion was made to receive and file the staff report recapping the State of the City Address. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Committee Reports and Other Matters
- A council member reported attending the CJPIA annual conference, noting sessions on deferred maintenance liability and crisis management. Another council member reported on the Housing and Homelessness Regional Committee, highlighting a new county homelessness prevention model involving flexible funding and cross-agency collaboration, and the HARP (Homelessness Alliance Response and Prevention) project. The same council member also reported on a Beach Smart presentation by Santa Barbara County Flood Control regarding beach erosion management and sediment deposition, noting Carpinteria’s high community turnout.
Public Comment / General Discussion
- A speaker provided information regarding coastal protection strategies, specifically citing examples from Santa Barbara and Carpinteria where artificial reefs are being installed to reduce wave action. The speaker noted that local kelp beds have declined and suggested that reef installation could serve as a mitigation factor for sea-level rise and large waves, recommending that the council discuss this topic in future meetings. Another speaker acknowledged the geographic advantages provided by the Channel Islands as barrier islands and commented on the application of scientific concepts in climate adaptation.
Adjournment
- The Chair confirmed the attendance of council members for future meetings. The meeting was officially adjourned at 9:48 p.m.