Montecito Association Meets

At this month’s Montecito Association Board of Directors meeting, Pat McElroy from the Partnership for Resilient Communities reported that his group funded another lidar radar flight over Montecito, which showed 71 sites in the foothills that would be appropriate for steel-wire ring nets to slow down or stop debris from falling. McElroy said they are proceeding with the installation of nets in two canyons, which will cost over $5 million. 

“We are just seeing where this is going to go, and are hoping to get an emergency permit for the work,” he said, adding that the canyons do not have debris basins below. The group, which has received $2M in private funding, is also working on FEMA grants. “There are a lot of people stepping up, and there are more every day. It is a very redeeming project to be a part of,” he said. For more information, visit www.partnershipsb.org. 

Montecito Water District general manager Nick Turner reported that the MWD board has approved a Smart Metering program, which will include replacement of all water meters in the District. “The meters are more efficient and more accurate, and we will be able to read the meters remotely,” Turner said. The board will discuss financing options next month, and the meters will likely be installed later this year and into early 2019. The District is also continuing work on the water highline due to damage from the January 9 debris flow; the work is about 80 percent finished. 

Cold Spring School superintendent and principal Dr. Amy Alzina reported that the school has received a $300K grant due to the fire and mudslides, which will be used to pay for key staff members and a counseling program. “We have much to celebrate and we continue to move forward,” she said. 

Chief Chip Hickman discussed an event happening this Friday, September 14, at Fire Station 1. At 11 am, the U.S. Postal service is honoring firefighters, emergency medical professionals, and law enforcement officers across the nation at a Forever stamp dedication ceremony. The ritual honors the first responders from all agencies who assisted in the Thomas Fire and the January 9 debris flow; the commemorative First Responder stamp recognizes all first responders for their skill, dedication, and uncommon bravery. 

“We would love to see all of you there,” Chief Hickman said. Free parking and shuttle service to and from the event will be available from lower Manning Park, located at 449 San Ysidro Road. Shuttle service will run from 9:45 to 10:50 am, and then again immediately following the ceremony. 

Chief Hickman also showed the board a monumental stone for the front of Station 1, which would serve as a memorial for the lives lost in the Thomas Fire and mudslide. The 3.5-ft x 5-ft boulder came down in the mudslide and would be engraved to denote the address of Fire Station 1, with victims’ names engraved on the back. The board members voiced their support of the stone. 

Diane Gabriel with Montecito Sanitary District said her board approved a sewer main extension on Olive Road and Tollis Avenue, funded by property owners and intended to serve 10 properties. The work will start in October, and will go for about 60 days. 

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department lieutenant Brian Thielst reported on four major incidents that have occurred in Montecito since July, including a home invasion/burglary in Montecito Oaks, a stolen car in Bonnymede, burglaries near Lilac, and most recently a hit-and-run on Channel Drive. “The perpetrators are people coming from out of town, and I don’t know how to make it more unattractive,” Thielst said. “The only thing I can tell you is to not hesitate to call. If something doesn’t look right, just call us,” he said, adding that the non-emergency dispatch number is (805) 692-5743. 

Two representatives from California Hope 805 spoke during the public comment section, reminding the community that the organization is still at the Montecito Center, providing crisis counseling, education, and resource referrals. The County transitioned out of the Montecito Center on August 31, but the Mental Wellness Center, a Santa Barbara nonprofit organization, announced that it had secured a month-to-month lease to keep the Center open as a short-term hub for mental wellness-related disaster recovery support and services, which are free and anonymous. The Montecito Center is located at 1283 Coast Village Circle. 

The next Montecito Association board meeting is Tuesday, October 9.