Beach Erosion, Moody Sisters’ Cottage and More at August Meeting

The Montecito Association held its monthly open-to-the-public meeting August 13 in person at the Montecito Library and via zoom. 

The main conference agenda item was a presentation by Nick Turner, Montecito Water Protection District General Manager, on the July rate increase, which is one year earlier than planned due to inflation, aging infrastructure, water procurement/treatment and system resiliency. Pertinent points he made included: the water rate study concluded an overall 9% rate increase in FY 2025, and 5.75% for 2026 with minimizing impacts to low water users, promoting water efficiency, revenue stability and ensuring rates are equitable. Customer increases depending on use are approximately $6 to $28/month. Included in the rate increase are proactive maintenance and replacement of aging pipelines, selling of  State Water Project water surplus, and MWPD rates are more favorable than neighboring agencies in Carpinteria-Santa Barbara-Goleta.

Additional MWPD news is that Jameson Lake is still spilling over, the Buena Vista water project updates are done and the roads are open; the water quality consumer confidence report June 30 showed consumers rated Montecito water meets or exceeds expectations; well registry is mandatory; smart meters are strongly suggested for water conservation and the public is invited to the MWPD August 21 meeting.

Next, new Carpinteria Chief of Police Lieutenant Richard Brittingham was welcomed and introduced. Lt. Brittingham replaces Lt. Ugo Butch Arnoldi. Brittingham said he has 27 years on the force and will provide a more in-depth report of police activity in the area at the next MA meeting. For now, his department confirmed the resolution in process of a transient issue in Montecito.

The usual meeting reports were as follows:

Montecito Fire Travis Ederer Division Chief – Operationsreported in lieu of Fire Chief David Neels. He stated that we are in high fire season and for everyone to adhere to fire protection. The department is fully staffed with a total of 51 people, of which 36 are fire fighters. The four new fire fighters recently added are fully on board. The department is working on redoing their entire radio system at the fire station. He cautioned for people hiking to make certain they know the trail, have a working cell phone, and plenty of water.

Montecito Sanitation District General Manager John Weigold reported that FEMA will reimburse approximately 90% for projects to remedy damages from the January storms. Two board members resigned; one has been replaced. They are doing an assessment to build a new wastewater plant, as the current one was built in 1960. Congressman Salud Carbajal has been able to get them $18 million in funding, which once appropriated, they can use for the new plant and other areas. Weigold added as a heads up that one agency, which he kept unnamed, is requesting the MSD do studies 50 to 100 years out, which may impede the MSD from attending to their annual creek and stream maintenance. 

Superintendent & Principal of the Cold Spring School District Amy Alzina shared the students’ state test scores have gone up into the high 90 percentile and she will continue to do the work to have the scores be 100% across all subjects. The CSS’s Innovation and Creativity Arts Building is completed, its grand opening was July 31. Alzina serves on two state boards for superintendents and educators, focusing this year on AI and mental health for staff, students, and families. CSS starts August 22.

Montecito Union School Superintendent Anthony Ranii reported in via Zoom that the MUS student state test scores have increased, repairs continue on specific building needs, that the construction is done, and the portable classrooms have been removed. School starts on August 22. Other items of study are student enrollment decreases, updating the MUS Transitional Kindergarten model and training for staff and students on what to do if the school has an assailant.

Darcell Elliott, Chief of Staff for First SB County District Supervisor Das Williams, provided updates on the Miramar Beach erosion issue saying it does not fall under the SBC control, however Williams is reaching out to the beach enrichment agency to look at the situation, as the beach is not getting the natural erosion it usually gets. The Cold Spring bridge is temporary, and a permanent replacement is scheduled that will have two lanes. Williams is filing a Civil Lawsuit to the property owners of the historically designated Moody Sisters cottage that was demolished by them, the owners know about it, but have not been officially served as yet.

Executive Director Houghton Hyatt gave her report stating the updates on membership and the Montecito Association website are progressing, and this year through 2025 marks the 75th Anniversary of the MA with the events to celebrate it still in the planning stages. Hyatt provided brief reports for the Board President, Land Use Chair, Outreach, and Hands Across Montecito who were not present. Cheryl Trosky Groundwater Chair defaulted to the presentation by Turner on the water district updates.

Events Chair Mindy Denson thanked the board for their support that made the July 4th event a success with the largest attendance in its history. She outlined plans for next year and Montecito Beautification Day was in the works for November. Trish Davis,History Chair, updated on receiving a grant to purchase a new file cabinet for historic documents and provided her knowledge on the background of the Moody Sisters cottage. All agreed that both public and government awareness and support of historic buildings and properties in Montecito needs to be raised.

411: www.montecitoassociation.org