New Supervisor Roy Lee, and Honors for Lt. Butch Arnoldi at September’s Meeting

The Montecito Association’s September meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room and on zoom.

The meeting was led by its President Doug Black and Executive Director Houghton Hyatt. 

First agenda item had Roy Lee, incoming 1^st District SBC Supervisor, present a Certificate of Recognition from SB County 1st Supervisor Das Williams to Lt. Ugo Butch Arnoldi for his 51 years of service to the SBC Sheriff’s Dept. Arnoldi humbly accepted. Lee shared he is excited and grateful to be on board, has an open-door policy and introduced his Chief of Staff, Wade Cowper. 

Arnoldi proceeded with the local crime updates for July and August, which included burglaries, narcotics arrests, a hit and run arrest, and a DUI arrest with domestic violence. Arnoldi confirmed that his department does monitor Channel Drive. The MA Board requested Arnoldi to be in the 2024 Holiday Parade.

Montecito Fire Dept Fire Marshal Aaron Briner invited the community to their annual 911 remembrance ceremony at both fire stations. He also discussed the current Fire Season and cautioned the community to be aware of the current sundowner winds and to be ready for wildfire prevention. The MFD is working on their ability to use backcountry roads so they can drive up to the usually difficult-to-reach areas, such as the Cold Spring area. Montecito residents and businesses can request a defensible space survey of their property and building. Currently there is a Burn Ban in effect. Briner introduced MFD Public Information Officer Christina Atchison, who demoed their new website which has multiple resources for the community, from latest news, fire updates, and fire safety, to updated evacuation maps, shelters, and related info. She invited community feedback on the website: www.montecitofire.com/news-information

Darcel Elliott, Chief of Staff for SBC 1st Supervisor Das Williams, stated that Butch will never retire and likely will soon be back on the beat in Montecito. She reported there is a Miramar Beach erosion meeting on September 24 with all public departments involved. Also, due to public outreach the SBC Board of Supervisors adopted the SBC Dept. of Public Works resolutions for a “No Parking Stopping or Standing Zone” on East Mountain Drive, the zone defined as southside of East Mountain Drive from Centerline of Ashley Road, and the north side from 158 feet west of the centerline on Ashley Road. Note there is also a “No Parking Sunset to 8 am Zone” at north side of East Mountain Drive and Hot Springs Road. Signage will be installed.Elliot said the owners of property that demolished the Moody Sisters Cottage have been served a Civil Lawsuit, court date pending.

Land Use Chair, Dorinne Lee Johnson recapped last week’s Land Use meeting. The representatives for the Four Seasons Biltmore requested to present at the Land Use October 4 meeting, prior to re-meeting with MBAR and MPAC. Regarding Joe Cole’s request for the MA Board’s support at the Hot Springs Trail stakeholders meeting with Congressman Carbajal, Black stated Cole needs to be clear on the points he wants the MA to act on.

Events Chair Mindy Denson updated on Montecito Beautification Day slated for November 2, at the upper village green. The Citizen of the Year will be announced, and t-shirts given out. The Rosewood Miramar Beach is donating breakfast, Santa Ynez Ranch Chef Matthew Johnson is making side dishes, and the MFD will do the BBQ. Live music with the keyboardist from the band America. Westmont College students have volunteered.

Houghton Hyatt briefed on the MA 75^th Anniversary celebration for 2025 with a donor cocktail party, merch, and history book publication. She also reported for the Outreach Committee that the MA plans to be present at Ghost Village Road, will do a pop-up at Pavilion’s CVR for MA 75^th merch sales, and have annual Holiday Parade.

For Hands Across Montecito, Andrea Newquist briefed on the work they do for homeless people in the area and advising local businesses on the day shelters they can refer them to.

School updates were given by Superintendent & Principal of the Cold Spring School District Amy Alzina and Hyatt for Montecito Union School Superintendent Anthony Ranii. CSS opened with 188 students, including the new TK program. Alzina invited the town to stop by to see the new Innovation Lab and join the 7:45 am morning runs with kids and parents. CSS is using the integration of safe AI learning and is a model school for Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. MUS opened with 351 students, and like CSS they have a remote classroom door locking system, video surveillance and have trained their team for safety in the event of
an intruder.