City Council — June 2, 2026

Recognition of Dr. Michael Arthur Glassow

• The Council honored Dr. Glassow for his archaeological scholarship and 35 years of volunteer service.
• A representative accepted the certificate of recognition on his behalf.
• No formal motion or vote was required for this recognition.

National Pollinator Week Proclamation

• The Council designated June 22–28, 2026, as National Pollinator Week.
• The proclamation acknowledged the environmental benefits of pollinators and city habitat efforts.
• A Parks and Recreation representative accepted the proclamation.

Employee Recognition Service Award Pins

• City employees from multiple departments were recognized for 5, 15, 20, and 25 years of service.
• Recipients included staff from Public Works, Parks, Community Development, Water Resources, and Fire.
• No formal motion or vote was recorded for these awards.

Wildland Fire Suppression Assessment District Renewal

• The Council held a public hearing to renew the levy for fiscal year 2027.
• The funding supports vegetation management and defensible space inspections in foothill zones.
• The motion to adopt the staff recommendation passed unanimously.

Local Coastal Program Amendment (Airport Property)

• The Council rezoned a portion of the airport property from Aircraft Approach to Airport Facilities Coastal Zone.
• A resolution was adopted to amend the Local Coastal Program accordingly.
• The motion to adopt the staff recommendation passed unanimously.

Legal Services Agreement Amendment with Jarvis Fay LLP

• This item was pulled from the consent calendar for separate discussion and a recusal was noted.
• The Council authorized the amendment to the legal services agreement with the firm.
• The motion passed unanimously with one member abstaining due to recusal.

Paseo Nuevo Redevelopment Draft Terms

• Staff presented draft terms for adaptive reuse of the former Macy's and Nordstrom buildings.
• The proposal includes corporate headquarters, rental housing units, and $7.4 million in public benefits.
• Public comment highlighted support for revitalization alongside concerns about housing affordability and property transfers.
• The Council directed staff to return with final disposition and development agreements for future approval.

Closed Session

• No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.

• Meeting Date: June 2, 2026 Body: Santa Barbara City Council

Item 1: Recognition of Dr. Michael Arthur Glassow

• The Council recognized Dr. Michael Arthur Glassow with a certificate in memoriam for his career in archaeological scholarship and 35 years of volunteer service to the Historic Landmarks Commission. A representative accepted the proclamation on his behalf. No formal motion or vote was recorded.

Item 2: National Pollinator Week Proclamation

• The Council proclaimed June 22–28, 2026, as National Pollinator Week, acknowledging the environmental benefits of pollinators and the City's efforts in habitat restoration and integrated pest management. A representative from Parks and Recreation accepted the proclamation. No formal motion or vote was recorded.

Item 3: Employee Recognition Service Award Pins

• The Council recognized City employees for 5, 15, 20, and 25 years of service. Recipients from Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Community Development, Water Resources, and the Fire Department were acknowledged. No formal motion or vote was recorded.

Consent Calendar (Items 1–10, excluding Item 9)

• The City Manager presented items 1 through 10 for adoption by reading of title only, with Item 9 pulled for separate consideration.
• Motion: Council Member Harmon moved to adopt the staff recommendations for items 1 through 10, excluding item 9.
• Second: Council Member Santamaria seconded the motion.
• Decision: The motion passed unanimously.

Consent Public Hearing Item 11: Renewal of Wildland Fire Suppression Assessment District

• The Council held a public hearing regarding the renewal of the levy for the wildland fire suppression assessment district for fiscal year 2027, covering vegetation management and defensible space inspection programs in foothill zones.
• Motion: Council Member Friedman moved to adopt the staff recommendation.
• Second: Council Member Jordan seconded the motion.
• Decision: The motion passed unanimously.

Consent Public Hearing Item 12: Local Coastal Program Amendment (Airport Property)

• The Council held a public hearing regarding an ordinance to rezone a portion of the Santa Barbara Airport property from Aircraft Approach and Operation Coastal Zone to Airport Facilities Coastal Zone, and a resolution to amend the Local Coastal Program accordingly.
• Motion: Council Member Friedman moved to adopt the staff recommendation.
• Second: Council Member Harmon seconded the motion.
• Decision: The motion passed unanimously.

Item 9: Authorization to Amend Legal Services Agreement with Jarvis Fay LLP

• This item was pulled from the consent calendar for separate discussion. The City Clerk recused themselves due to a financial interest.
• Motion: Mayor Pro Tempestin moved to adopt the staff recommendation.
• Second: Council Member Santamaria seconded the motion.
• Decision: A roll call vote was conducted. The motion passed unanimously, with Council Member Friedman abstaining/recused.

General Public Comment

• Members of the public addressed the Council on matters not on the agenda. Topics included opposition to Measure A-2026 regarding affordable housing plans for the former Macy's building and the Yardie Systems proposal; thanks for the Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month proclamation; updates on the Solstice festival; and concerns regarding voter registration for homeless individuals, technology access, code enforcement, and restroom access.

Item 13: Draft Terms of Agreement for Paseo Nuevo Redevelopment

• The Council received a staff report and presentations regarding draft terms for the redevelopment of the Paseo Nuevo site, involving the former Macy's and Nordstrom buildings.
• Discussion: Staff and proponents presented a framework involving Yardi Systems (proposing to convert the former Macy's building into global corporate headquarters) and DSP Partners (proposing adaptive reuse of the former Nordstrom building for 80–112 rental housing units, including 10% moderate-income units). Key terms discussed included the transfer of ground lease interests and city-owned land, termination of reciprocal easement agreements prohibiting housing, public benefit contributions totaling $5.7 million to the Local Housing Trust Fund and $1.7 million to downtown improvements and parking funds, parking arrangements involving Lots 1, 2, and 10, estimated annual revenue generation exceeding $700,000, and CEQA exemption findings.
• Public Comment: Speakers expressed support for the adaptive reuse, economic injection, and revitalization of downtown. Concerns were raised regarding the need for poverty-level and low-income housing, the transfer of valuable city property to private developers, and the adequacy of housing trust fund contributions. Requests were made for performance protection mechanisms (clawback provisions), binding requirements for transit pass purchases, dedicated Chumash cultural heritage space, local-first leasing priorities, and additional time for public review of documents.
• Council Deliberation: Council members discussed the proposal's differences from a previously rejected plan, noting the reliance on adaptive reuse rather than demolition and adherence to existing height limits. Discussions covered the financial benefits of property and sales taxes, the structure of the fee title transfer versus a lease, safeguards for public benefit contributions, and the requirement for on-site moderate-income units. Requests were made to consult with the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chumash community, and nonprofit entities, and to consider ongoing annual contributions to the housing trust fund. Concerns were raised regarding the timeline for public review of documents prior to the June 16 meeting.
• Motion: Council Member Harmon moved to direct staff to return with the disposition and development agreements and other related agreements for the transaction for approval on an appropriate date.
• Second: Mayor Pro Tem Sneddon seconded the motion.
• Decision: The motion passed unanimously.

Committee Assignment Reports

• Council members and staff provided reports on attendance at various external meetings and events, including the UCSB Economic Forecast, UCSB Chancellor's Inauguration, Visit Santa Barbara Annual Meeting, Fire Safe Council Town Hall, SBCC graduation and gala, Citizen Planning Association meeting, Gaviota Coast Special Olympics torch run, Summit for Youth, Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala, State of the Nonprofit event, Eastside WRAP meeting, Youth Resilience Initiative Neighborhood Action Collaborative, Arts and Culture Committee meeting, Fire and Police Commission meeting, and a Memorial Day event hosted by the Pierre Clayson Veterans Foundation and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned.