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Council approves MOU with SBCAG to advance Santa Ynez Valley River Trail design and environmental work
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Summary
Buellton approved an MOU with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) to use a $425,000 state grant for environmental review, public outreach and preliminary design work on the San Ynez River Trail within the city.
The Buellton City Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) to administer and deliver work funded by a $425,000 state grant for the San Ynez Valley River Trail through Buellton. SBCAG will assist the city with consultant procurement, public outreach, environmental review (CEQA) and preliminary design work for the city’s portion of the regional connector.
Public Works Director Rose Hess said the $425,000 grant will focus on front-end project phases — administration, environmental documentation, public outreach and preliminary design work up to roughly 30% design — and that the city’s work could include public workshops and coordination with regulatory agencies such as California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Hess described easements the city already holds in portions of the alignment (Riverview Park eastward through the Avenue of Flags and easements east of McMurray Road) and said the contract and scope will determine the final design extent.
Fred Luna, SBCAG project delivery director and a Buellton resident, told the council SBCAG will seek a consultant, move forward with environmental certification (CEQA), and coordinate with partner agencies including the Chumash tribe, County of Santa Barbara and the cities along the corridor. Luna said the grant term runs through June 2027 and that additional funding may be sought from regional partners and Supervisor Joan Hartman’s office to support construction and full design phases; he said the larger corridor budget exceeds $1 million when other grants are included.
Councilmembers asked whether the city’s work could be delayed by other agencies’ timelines. SBCAG and staff said the city’s portion would be advanced as a discrete work package because Buellton already has some easements and grant deadlines tied to the city’s funding. The council discussed coordinating outreach with the city’s general-plan update to be efficient and broaden public engagement.
The council voted unanimously to approve the MOU with SBCAG. The MOU allows SBCAG to administer the state grant funds and to begin consultant procurement and outreach work on the Buellton-specific design and environmental tasks.
