An Ambulance Plan, New Signage, and More at October Meeting

The Montecito Association October meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room and on Zoom from 4 pm to 6:45 pm. The meeting was led by its MA President Doug Black with Executive Director Houghton Hyatt. 

The most pertinent agenda reports were:

Congressman Salud Carbajal via Zoom from Sacramento provided his legislative updates stating, “I requested this update meeting with the Montecito Association. Here is what I have been working on: the Chumash Marine Sanctuary will be signed into effect by October 15 with a Federal Government designation; the Clean Airport legislation on banning forever chemicals; a Bipartisan Bill to Disrupt Federal Trafficking and coordinate with Mexico to disrupt drug cartels; a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with $1 billion for the Central Coast to augment drinking water; Funding for the groundwater sustainability project and FEMA repairs for the Montecito Water District; voted to Fund the Federal Government through December 20; and the Hot Springs Trail meeting with Stake Holders.”

Lt. Richard Brittingham recapped the local crimes as a rash of burglaries at Birnam Wood, and illegal camps at the beach and cemetery. Additional police units are being dispatched to those areas. Channel Drive has been reported to be quiet late night to early morning.

Montecito Fire Chief David Neels with SBC Fire Chief/Fire Warden Mark A. Hartwig outlined their proposed Ambulance Plan for Montecito/Carpinteria/Summerland. They stated that, “In 2016 the SB County Fire Chiefs met regarding the ambulance wait times and need for critical care, stating they could provide a much better service to the area. Their plan included 35 ambulances with updated equipment, trained personnel, a rest area for workers during downtime, and a plan to reinvest any profits made annually back into the ambulance fleet, gear, and workers thereby conserving the use of local taxes to fund the ambulance services. In March 2024, when the current ambulance service’s contract with SB County Board of Supervisors expired, the SB County Fire Chiefs applied for the permit. They were taken to court by the current ambulance provider, with a trial date for February 2025. In the interim, SB County Board of Supervisors has allowed the current ambulance service provider to continue, in what appears to the fire chiefs as a monopoly on services, when they are proposing a more equitable solution.”

Darcel Elliott, Chief of Staff for SBC 1st Supervisor Das Williams, shared that the Miramar Beach erosion teams met with SBC Parks and Public Works and Miramar Beach Homeowners Association for options regarding the debris sediment. The Manning Park tennis court revamp project shows it will reopen early spring 2025. SB County Public Works will meet with the San Leandro hedgerow area and the Bucket Brigade on October 18, from 10 am to 2 pm. They will be placing signage by the SBC Dept of Public Works stating “No Parking Stopping or Standing Zone”. The signage will appear on the southside of East Mountain Drive from Centerline of Ashley Road, and the north side from 158’ west of the centerline on Ashley Road. “No Parking Sunset to 8 am Zone”signs will be placed on the north side of East Mountain Drive and Hot Springs Road. 

For MA committee updates, see their October minutes on their website.  

411: www.montecitoassociation.org